Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
End of Watch: Monday, October 29, 1917
Age: 58
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 29, 1917
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years
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.
Deputy Nelson had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for 15 years and. He survived by his wife and four children.