Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, Minnesota
End of Watch: Sunday, September 28, 1975
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: September 28, 1975
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Conservation Officer Russell Nelson was killed in a float plane accident while searching for illegal duck hunters 12 miles south of Aitkin, Minnesota.
The pilot was also killed in the accident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Big Pine Lake.
Officer Nelson was killed two days before his 28th birthday and had served with the agency for six years. He is survived by his wife and two children.