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Norman Nelson
Incident
Seasonal Park Ranger Norman Nelson was killed in a vehicle crash while at 3:00 am while returning to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco on official business.
He had been sent to San Francisco to transport personal belongings of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who had just completed a week-long stay in the park. He had picked up a friend in Stockton for the return trip.
They were driving on All Year Highway (California Route 140) when his department vehicle left the roadway and went down a 20-foot embankment into Bear Creek between Bear Creek Lodge and Dawson Trail. Park Ranger Nelson and his friend were both killed in the crash.
Seasonal Park Ranger Nelson had served with the National Park Service as a seasonal ranger for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Seasonal Park Ranger Nelson gave the United States Department of the Interior 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Seasonal Park Ranger Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has lost 40 officers; 28 of them lost to accidents.
Norman is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Norman is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norman is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 2 officers at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1934, 5 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1934, 91 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1934, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Norman was 25. Of the 28 lost to accidents at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 35.5. Norman had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Norman was 25. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Norman had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Norman was 25. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Norman had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Norman was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Norman had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 21.4% of these deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.3%.
July holds 10.6% of these deaths in DC, more than any other month. Sundays: 13%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 70% of all 40 deaths at United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service has 40 officers remembered here, Norman among them.
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Joseph E. Prince Jan 8, 1913
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Andrew Jack Gaylor
Apr 19, 1921
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James Alexander Cary
Mar 12, 1927
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Fred Johnson Feb 20, 1929
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Glen Sturdevant
Feb 20, 1929
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William Clair Godfrey, Sr.
Nov 17, 1930
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Norman Nelson Jul 29, 1934
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Kenneth Meenan
Aug 5, 1934
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Karl A. Jacobson
Nov 11, 1938
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Raymond A. Johnson
Oct 14, 1939
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Forest Sanford Townsley
Aug 11, 1943
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Frederick R. Bergemeyer
Aug 23, 1952
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Charles R. Scarborough Jun 21, 1954
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James Donald Vaughn
Apr 26, 1958
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John C. Fonda
Mar 9, 1960
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Gale H. Wilcox Mar 9, 1960
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Nathaniel R. Lacy Jun 23, 1966
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Robert D. Metherell
Feb 7, 1973
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Ronald Van Trussell
Feb 7, 1973
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Kenneth Carmel Patrick
Aug 5, 1973
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Thomas Kenneth Brown
Aug 31, 1973
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James Phillip Fleetwood
Jul 5, 1977
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Gregory Scott Burdine
Nov 26, 1977
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Ward W. Hall
Jul 16, 1979
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Duane P. McClure
May 22, 1980
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Robert Lewis McGhee, Jr.
May 26, 1990
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Robert E. Mahn, Jr.
Jan 17, 1994
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Ryan Francis Weltman
Jul 3, 1994
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James Randall Morgenson
Jul 23, 1996
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Michael A. Beaulieu
Aug 26, 1996
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Joseph David Kolodski
Jun 21, 1998
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Steve Renard Makuakane-Jarrell
Dec 12, 1999
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Kristopher William Eggle
Aug 9, 2002
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Thomas Patrick O'Hara
Dec 19, 2002
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Suzanne E. Roberts
Sep 14, 2004
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Jeffrey A. Christensen
Jul 29, 2005
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Christopher Nickel
Jan 29, 2011
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Julie Ann Weir
Feb 24, 2011
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Margaret A. Anderson
Jan 1, 2012
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Kevin Melvin Grossheim
Oct 6, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
39 officers from United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
