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David Elwood Nelson
Incident
Around 6:00 a.m. on May 3, 1985, Chief Deputy Constable David E. Nelson was traveling in 5500 block of U.S. Highway 290 in the Oak Hill community heading to Lake Travis to serve some civil papers. A large flatbed tractor trailer backed out of a parking lot. Nelson did not react fast enough and collided with the truck. He was taken to Brackenridge Hospital where he died from his injuries at 2:25 a.m. on May 20, 1985. He was 7 days short of his 60th birthday. Nelson was survived by his wife, Beatrice Carlson Nelson, two sisters and two brothers. He was buried in the Capital Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Austin.
Survivors
Nelson was survived by his wife, Beatrice Carlson Nelson, two sisters and two brothers.
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.
Chief Deputy Constable Nelson gave the Travis County Constable's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Constable Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
David is the only officer of Travis County Constable's Office - Precinct 3 remembered here.
David is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1985, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1985, 75 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 59. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
David was 59. 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. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 59. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 12.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Travis County Constable's Office - Precinct 3.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Travis County Constable's Office - Precinct 3 are honored on badge.nw.