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Incident
Game Warden Leon Nelson was killed in an automobile crash while on patrol with another game warden in Glenn County.
The vehicle experienced a malfunction which caused it to veer off the roadway and down an embankment.
Game Warden Nelson had served with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Game Warden Nelson gave the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 9 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has lost 17 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Leon is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Leon is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leon 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 1979, 1 officer at California Department of Fish and Wildlife was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1984, with 2.
In 1979, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Leon was 36. Of the 8 lost to accidents at California Department of Fish and Wildlife whose age is recorded, half were between 38.3 and 60.3; the middle age was 48.5. Leon had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 14.5 years.
Leon was 36. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Leon had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Leon was 36. 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. Leon had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leon was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Leon had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 37.5% of these deaths at California Department of Fish and Wildlife, more than any other month. Saturdays: 25%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 47.1% of all 17 deaths at California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has 17 officers remembered here, Leon among them.
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Bert Blanchard
Feb 2, 1913
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Ernest Raynaud
Apr 16, 1913
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George Jackson Rodolph Nov 29, 1914
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Raymond B. Heacock Dec 11, 1916
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Richard Squire
Dec 12, 1916
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James S. White Oct 17, 1923
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George Thompson Sep 1, 1928
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Alan G. Curry Apr 30, 1930
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Walter K. Krukow
Apr 20, 1947
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Arthur L. Stager Oct 28, 1948
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Clarence Lester Brown
Apr 3, 1959
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Wilbur S. Talbott
Jan 14, 1962
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Paul Steven Smith
Dec 19, 1970
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Jean King Jones, Jr.
May 14, 1979
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Leon Harvey Nelson Oct 27, 1979
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Robert Allen Flynt May 11, 1984
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Roy John Reed
Jun 7, 1984
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from California Department of Fish and Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
