Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, September 22, 1921
Add to My HeroesHenry F. Nelson
Deputy Sheriff Henry Nelson and Deputy Sheriff Theodore Crossley were shot and killed when they went to investigate a charge of hay theft in Belleville, California.
When the officers arrived at the scene one of the suspects opened fire, killing both deputies.
The man was sentenced to death for the murders and was hanged at San Quentin State Prison on February 24th, 1922.
The subsequent search for the suspects was the first time airplanes were used in California for law enforcement searches.
Deputy Nelson had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and three brothers.
Bio
- Age 47
- Tour 14 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Executed in 1922
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsYesterday was 103 years since your murder. We want to let you, your friends and Family know that not a day passes by that yours and your partners service and sacrifice is not acknowledged in some way. Your pictures drape our walls. Hence we never forget.
Elizabeth
RSO Widow and RSA Member
September 23, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Officer Jeremy Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Chief Deputy Burl Wesley Everman
Bath County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: November 9, 2024

Police Officer Philip J. Schifini
Nassau County Police Department, NY
EOW: November 27, 2024

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025