Gerald Nelson

Gerald Nelson was born to the late Frazier Nelson and Queen Ella Nelson on February 14(tm), 1952 in Bennettsville, South Carolina. He departed this life May 10TH, 2024 in Queens, New York.

He grew up in Marlboro County, SC and later moved to Crown Heights in Brooklyn, NY where he attended Grover Cleveland High School. He graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and from Marist College where he received a Master's Degree in Public Administration.

He was united in matrimony to Aida Torres, to this union was born their son Gerald Nelson, Jr. and he gained a stepdaughter, Annette Navaro. In April 2017, he married Gloria Pagan, and to this union their son Greyson Julian Nelson was born.

Gerald always wanted to be a police officer and joined the New York City Housing Authority Police Department in 1973. He served in numerous housing developments throughout New York City and he quickly rose through the ranks from Sergeant, to Lieutenant, Lieutenant Special Assignment, Captain and Deputy Inspector. He held many distinguished positions including Commanding Officer of the Housing Services Personnel Bureau from 1990 until 1995 when the Housing Police merged with the New York City Police Department. He was extremely instrumental in the "full merger" process and transition with the NYPD. He was always proud to be "Original Housing." He then served as Commanding Officer at Strategic and Tactical Brooklyn North Housing Operation.

Executive Officer of the Detective Borough Queens. Adjutant Patrol Borough Manhattan North. Commanding Officer of Transit Borough Bronx and Housing Borough Bronx/Queens. He continued his steadfast career with the NYPD being promoted to Inspector (in 1994), Deputy Chief (2000), and Assistant Chief (2002) and served as the Commanding Officer of the School Safety Division.

In 2006, he became the 22^d Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North. In 2014, he was promoted to the distinguished rank of 3-star Chief. In 2015, Chief Nelson retired from the NYPD after 41 years of service. He continued his career in civil service when He was then appointed as the Vice President of New York City Housing Authority Public Safety and retired from that position in 2021. His career had come full circle and ended where he began in Housing.

He dedicated his life to public service and was an advocate for the communities he served; he believed in positive change, justice and reform. His leadership skills, management style and fair practices made him an exemplary role model for the NYPD!! He mentored many past, present and future leaders in the department. He was known for his pristine uniform appearance and demanded the same of others. To mention a few of his iconic mantras; "if you are not early, you are late;" and "when speaking, know your audience." He will always be a historic figure in with the Housing Police and in the NYPD.

Chief Gerald Nelson was a lifetime member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), where he played a very active role serving as New York Chapter President for several years. He also served for several terms as the Region I Vice President, overseeing all of the Chapters in the Northeast Region. He was also a member of the Guardians Association, having joined the organization under the Housing Police Department before the merger. In 1993, he graduated the FBI National Academy 172d session.

Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and citations and was also a member of the American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement (APPLE), CUNY Baccalaureate Alumni Association and a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #997.

Chief Nelson had many hobbies and an exquisite taste for the finest luxuries.

Whether it was his collection of Porsche sports cars, motorcycles, a distinguished watch collection, fedora hats, alligator shoes, or bowties, it was a signature statement of the man he was. His love for food, dogs, eclectic music taste, passion for car racing, and of course his joy of guitar playing made him a "renaissance man" with a unique character. The legend 'Chief Gerry Nelson' we will always love and remember.

Chief Gerald Nelson leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Gloria, his children Gerald Nelson, Jr. (Cudlie) of Middletown, NY and Greyson Julian Nelson, of Queens, NY, his stepdaughter Annette Navaro, two grandchildren Terrell and Alyssa Lin Nelson, two siblings, Marie Nelson and David Nelson of Queens, NY and Aunt Nora of Bennettsville, SC. A host of cousins, relatives, friends and his extended police family. And let's not forget his dogs Foxey and Rock.