Joplin Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch Monday, September 13, 2004
Add to My HeroesTimothy Andrew Nielson
Patrolman Timothy Nielson succumbed to injuries sustained one month earlier when a house exploded as a result of being filled with natural gas.
Patrolman Nielson and another officer had responded to 904 S. McKinley Avenue to investigate reports of a suicidal man. When the officers arrived, they located the man in the backyard, but he suddenly ran into the house. The officers followed him into the house and were inside for several minutes when the house suddenly exploded.
Patrolman Nielson sustained burns to 45% of his body and was partially trapped in the wreckage of the home. The other officer sustained burns to 30% of his body and remained in critical condition for several weeks.
Investigation revealed that, prior to the arrival of the officers, the suspect had disconnected the natural gas line from his stove and turned the valve on to its highest setting. The house filled with gas while the man was outside. After the officers chased the man into the home, one of the officers fired a taser at the man. The spark from the taser may have caused the gas to ignite, resulting in the explosion. The suspect the officers were attempting to arrest was taken into custody.
Patrolman Nielson had served with the Joplin Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and siblings.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Explosion
- Incident Date Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Most Recent Reflection
View all 138 ReflectionsTim
My name is Shirley Jaster, and I was not living in Missouri when you went to heaven, but I moved here in 2006. I am a retired nurse and worked in ER in a hospital in ca for years, so I saw a lot of bad stuff. We just had two of your fellow officers on the force shot and killed and another one wounded just last week. They have joined you in Heaven and it makes me weep. it’s just so needless. I hope and pray that your loved ones are doing OK. And I continue to pray for JPD officers
They will be joining you soon. It just m
Shirley Jaster
March 14, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Corporal Shawn Kelly
Denham Springs Police Department, LA
EOW: June 2, 2023

Corrections Deputy Marcus Zeigler
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2023

Police Officer Horren Randy Tyler
Madison Police Department, MS
EOW: June 1, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: May 6, 2023