Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Nelson Henry Yamamoto

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California

End of Watch Tuesday, March 31, 1992

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Nelson Henry Yamamoto

Always remembered. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles
County Sheriff

March 31, 2022

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Yamamoto.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 29, 2022

Nelson, it's been a long time. Seems like yesterday we were working the All. Rest in peace little buddy .

Deputy Todd Gamble
LOS ANGELES SHERIFF

January 22, 2022

Horrible day in beat one. Loved how Nelson enjoyed stopping DUI drivers from the beanpot at Florence and Marbrisa...only to call CHP as this is their thing in FPK. We are coming up on 30, hope we can meet on Cass for a Nelson moment. You are a few rows from my Grandmother at Green Hills.

Scootertrash Wall Motor officer 34 yr
CHP

December 14, 2021

Rest in peace.

FLORENCE HOBSON
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Retired

March 31, 2021

Yep. I remember that night well. I’ll never forget.

Deputy John Rossman
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lynwood station

March 31, 2021

I worked with Nelson at the Hall of Justice Jail before he went to patrol. He and I often worked out together in the gym there at the workplace. We both were men of faith as were his parents. He was a wonderful person whom I was proud to work with as a deputy sheriff. At the time he was killed I was working as a deputy sheriff in Dayton, Oh. I learned of his death watching an episode of America's Most Wanted. I was floored! To this day, I often think of him in the fondest of ways. What consoles me is knowing we will be reunited in Glory.

Deputy Jerry Wonders
LASD

August 23, 2020

Nelson RIP. My sister was a good friend of yours. We also knew Michelle Tomei. Miss you and love you. Always thinking about you. Too young to die.

Dana Wenzel
Friend

May 31, 2020

Nelson,

I met you just when you were headed out to FPK. I was a boot in the jails and wished I could have joined you. One night on earlies, my WC asked me if I knew a “Nelson”? Then he said, “Yamamoto”? When he told me what happened I never expected to not see you again.

My roommate was a close friend of yours and I knew Michele since childhood. All the people and mutual friends we had. I could not put into words how I felt in your passing. I still remember the procession at Green Hills.

It’s been awhile, but you are not forgotten brother. I will visit you when I’m at the cemetery. Rest In Peace and God bless.

DAM
LASD

April 25, 2020

Nelson RIP. I went to high school with you. I do miss you and love you. My prayers to the family and friends.

Dana Wenzel
Friend

April 1, 2020

Nelson,

It's been 28 years since your passing. Last year, I was in the LA area and went to Green Hills to visit you and your parents. I have not and will not forget your ultimate sacrifice or the kindness your parents.

A Washington State Retired Deputy

A Retired Deputy
Washington State

March 31, 2020

My father worked with you when your were at FPK. A veteran deputy with many years 10-8 not much phases the old man. However, when he brings your name up there’s always a tear that comes to his eye. It goes to show the impact you had on many of your partners. I wasn’t born when you passed but the lessons you taught my father were passed on to me and now I get to carry those lessons on in my career.

Deputy Sheriff Anonymous
LASD

March 31, 2020

Just thinking about Nelson today. It's already been a life time. We were about the same age-I'm 56 now. I think he would be 54 or so. It's been that long and I still think about and miss him. He was a really good person.

Terrence K. Buniel
High School friend

February 21, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Nelson Henry Yamamoto will never ever be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police

January 13, 2020

Praying everyday for a better life.. Think about you a lot even though we never got to know each other. I wish you were around. I wish I could go back in time.

Wish you were here.. Feel so alone Uncle Nelson.

Michael Duvall
Nephew

January 13, 2020

God Bless you brother Nelson, never forgotten...

Fred Ulowetz
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office (WA State)

October 17, 2019

We have these memorials not only to remember those who have fallen but to come together as a community and reconnect with families; not just the ones from the same blood line. It is extremely important to keep on contact with your partners because you do not know when it could be the last time you see them. In addition, we have to take care of each other because not all deaths result from being on duty. Some happen off duty where the conflict is ourselves.
Yamamoto was 26 years old. Being a Deputy Sheriff is a great privilege especially at a young age. I feel like a lot of younger law enforcement personnel can relate because Yamamoto was only on patrol for less than two months. We discussed in class that anything could happen when you are on duty. It doesn’t matter if you are a ten year Deputy Sheriff or a first day on patrol. Anything can happen and I respect every single law enforcement officer because they put their life on the line every single day. Thank you Deputy Yamamoto for your courageous actions and perseverance to continue the mission.

Armando Penales

April 4, 2019

The death of Nelson was one of the sadist days of my career at FKP. He was a fine young man and he came from hardy stock. The Yamamoto family was understandably grief stricken, but stoic and gracious throughout what had to be the most painful time a parent can experience - the loss of a son. They told me repeatedly that Nelson loved being a deputy sheriff and was extremely proud to call himself a "Firestone Deputy". His death touched me deeply - I will never forget Nelson or his Family.

Dennis Wilson, Retired Captain
FPK Lieutenant at the time

March 31, 2018

I've passed by the scene of your incident numerous times. Your service and sacrifice are always in my mind and will never be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff LASD

March 31, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

March 31, 2018

Sure wish you were alive today. Never really got to know you as I was born a couple months before your passing. Starting to grow up and as of late, I've wondered what life would be like hadn't you passed so soon..

With love and respect,
Mike

Mike
Nephew

April 25, 2017

Brother Nelson, you will never be forgotten, I think of you often. Class 252 - 6th Platoon, custody, softball, etc. we always rocked it. I visited the LE Memorial in Washington DC recently, and said a prayer for you and your family. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice back then, 24 years ago, miss you brother. God Bless you and thank you for watching our backs. Always in our hearts.

Fred Ulowetz
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

September 20, 2016

Class 252 alum thinking of you nelson

resigned 1992 lasd kurt schaedig social
social worker michigan

June 10, 2016

Nelson,

It's been about 27 years since i first me you in the academy. We were seated in alphabetical order in the back of the classroom, so you were in my row. I'll never forget how good you were at every level of training, including role playing. You always came out on top, and better than most of us in our class.

We were assigned to the Hall of Justice, where I really got to know you, on the early morning shift. I'll never forget the times that you, Waldron, Fitz and myself would use our radio's on another channel and act like we were on the streets in some major crap. You made us all laugh and we all respected your talents.

Last time I saw you, I was working the gate at sybil bran. You guys came over on a visit and we talked about the great times during training etc.. I remember you smiling the whole time and laughing. That's how I will always remember you brother.

I was on patrol at Lakewood Station when this happened to you. I wanted so bad to be part of the containment, but the whole world was already there. I have never forgotten you!

I know you are with the Good Lord above, as you are one of his special soldiers!

Your Friend Tim Waters
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

May 14, 2016

I represented my department at your funeral. I will always remember your song, "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton. Just heard it and, as I always have since that day, I say your name out loud. You're not forgotten.

Sgt. P. Garcia
Retired RBPD

March 26, 2016

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