P/O Robert Nelson

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On this day in Baltimore City Police History 1958, we lost our Brother Police officer, Robert Nelson, based on the following:

On September 16, 1958, Motors Officer Nelson entered the intersection of Broadway and Gay Streets; at the same time, Richard Bishop also entered the intersection, causing a collision between the two (Bishop was operating a truck as he had just moved to Baltimore from New Jersey). Officer Nelson’s motorcycle was struck so hard that he was ejected from it. Airborne, his body was thrown more than 20 feet across the street, causing his head to hit a pole and curb upon landing. He was immediately taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where doctors worked feverously to try and save his life. His supervisor immediately sent for Officer Nelson’s wife, Emma Nelson. Emma was brought to the hospital from the couple's Williams Avenue home. Upon her arrival at the hospital, doctors were still working to save her husband’s life; they would eventually have done everything they could, ending by putting a steel plate in his head. They were at a place where all they could do now was wait. With Emma by his side, three days would pass before Officer Nelson would succumb to his injuries.

Richard Bishop, who had only been in Baltimore for two days before he would end the life of our brother with his reckless driving, was charged with vehicular manslaughter. On October 4, 1958, two magistrates from Baltimore County dealt leniently with the New Jersey man who was involved in the accident that would end the life of Officer Nelson.

Nelson was in the department for a year and a half, having served our country in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Oddly enough, he transferred to motors after hearing of the loss of Patrolman John Andrews of the BPD Motors Unit, who was also struck by a reckless driver nearly a year earlier, on Oct 9, 1957.

As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department, we will not let him be forgotten. His service honored the City of Baltimore and the Baltimore Police Department. May he rest in peace, and may God bless him.