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Nelson Henry Yamamoto
Deputy Sheriff

Nelson Henry Yamamoto

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department — Monterey Park, CA
Felonious
United States flag California flag
End of Watch March 31, 1992
Age 26
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 137 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 119

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Nelson Yamamoto died two days after being shot when he responded to a man with a gun call in the 2500 block of Cass Place in the Walnut Park area of the county. Responding deputies observed two armed men inside of a garage at the location. The two subjects exited the front of the garage and exchanged shots with Deputy Yamamoto, who was shot in the abdomen, shoulder, thigh, and foot. One of the two subjects was shot and killed by other deputies. The man who shot Deputy Yamamoto was able to escape. Investigators determined the man was an illegal alien who was wanted for one murder in the Los Angeles area and for two murders in El Salvador. The man fled to New York where he sought work on a farm. His new employer recognized him on an episode of America's Most Wanted and called the FBI. Special agents and New York State troopers responded to the man's home to interview him. The subject fled in his car but was shot and killed by officers following a short pursuit. Deputy Yamamoto had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for three years.

Survivors

He is survived by his parents.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Yamamoto gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Yamamoto.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Type Other
Location Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, CA
Platform Identity lacso.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 31, 1992
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Nelson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1992, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Nelson was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Nelson had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Nelson among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Deputy Sheriff Nelson Henry Yamamoto

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department · End of Watch March 31, 1992

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E

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