Officer William C. Nelson

Age: 21
Midvale Police Department
Homicide: Handgun

Officer William C. Nelson was murdered while conducting foot patrol with another Midvale officer. 

At 1:30 a.m., the two officers observed a group of men near a saloon firing their pistols wildly into the air in celebration of Christmas. As Officer Nelson approached the group, he was ambushed from behind by a man who fired a single shot into his head. The second officer returned fired but failed to hit the assailant, who then managed to escape into the darkness. Although several suspects were arrested, no one was ever brought to trial for the murder.  Officer Nelson was engaged to the daughter of Midvale Officer Frank Colclough, murdered near the same spot four months before. He is buried in Sandy City Cemetery. 

The bronze memorial name plaque of Officer William C. Nelson is sponsored by Salt Lake County Captain Teri Somers and Joe Somers.