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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Nelson was shot and killed by an escaping prisoner in the county jail. He was on night watch when he heard a disturbance and went to investigate. Several prisoners told him that another prisoner escaped and he went back to his office to retrieve his weapon. The escapee was in the office and shot Deputy Nelson with his own gun.
The 16-year-old suspect was quickly captured. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Nelson gave the Shelby County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shelby County Sheriff's Office has lost 21 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1917, 1 officer at Shelby County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1904, with 2.
In 1917, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 58. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Shelby County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.8 and 50.5; the middle age was 42.5. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
James was 58. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 58. 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. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 15.4% of these deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 30.8%. Mondays: 15.4%.
October holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.9% of all 21 deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Shelby County Sheriff's Office has 21 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Houston Mitchell Jul 11, 1904
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Thomas J. McDermott Jul 12, 1904
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W. H. Lucy
Feb 25, 1910
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James C. Nelson Oct 29, 1917
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George Taylor Reeves
Nov 30, 1920
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Fielding F. Applebury
Dec 17, 1920
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Charles C. Wortham
Oct 7, 1925
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Edward William Stelling
Jul 5, 1945
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Olney Benton Crawford
Mar 24, 1946
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Deadrick A. Taylor
Apr 19, 1996
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Sherry Hopper Goodman
Jul 26, 1996
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Rupert Holliday Peete, Jr.
Mar 8, 2000
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George Monroe Selby
Dec 4, 2002
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Timothy Howard Dunn
Oct 29, 2004
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Ronald L. Ray
Dec 17, 2013
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Jeremy Devaughn Smith
Apr 21, 2020
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Anthony Terrance Jackson, Sr.
Dec 25, 2020
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Willie Lois Dortch
Apr 9, 2021
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Ray William McCrary, Jr.
Jul 20, 2021
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Lakiesha Lashay Tucker
Aug 25, 2021
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Bridgette Lachelle Hunter
Feb 17, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
