Officer Robert Joseph Nielsen
Chandler Police Department
Arizona
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 12, 2002

Biographical Info
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 445

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Officer Robert Nielsen was killed in an automobile accident while responding to another accident call at 1351 hours.

As he proceeded through the intersection at Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive, the driver of another vehicle failed to yield the right of way and made a left turn into his path, hitting his 1999 Crown Victoria patrol car and causing it to strike a utility pole. Upon impact, the patrol car burst into flames and Officer Nielsen was trapped inside. Passers-by attempted to pull him from the vehicle, but were unable to because of the fire.

Officer Nielsen had been employed with the Chandler Police Department for two years, and is survived by his wife, parents, brother, and sister.