Community support and healing
By: J. David Chapman/July 28, 2022
It has been a somber couple of weeks for the citizens of Edmond, the Edmond Police Department, and the family of police officer C. J. Nelson. Sgt. Nelson lost his life while on duty July 19 in a traffic accident while on his police motorcycle. This was the first time in our city’s history that an officer has lost their life in the line of duty.
Sgt. Nelson, 38, a 13-year veteran of the Edmond Police Department, was a loving husband and father. He was a respected, dedicated, award-winning motorcycle patrol officer who was proud to also serve on Edmond’s SWAT team. I recently witnessed Officer Nelson’s work at Edmond’s 4th of July Parade. He was like a “Rock Star” on a police motorcycle. Our community has been in mourning and in shock from this terrible loss.
Dr. David McIlhatton and I are writing a book called Resilient City. The purpose of the book is to help educate and instruct city leaders on handling unfortunate circumstances in their communities. Great cities have great leaders. Edmond Police Chief J.D. Younger is an example of great leadership. Events as significant as the loss of Sgt. Nelson cannot, and should not, be put entirely on the shoulders of leadership and require entire community involvement.
This may have been the best example of regional support for a community loss that I have ever studied or witnessed. The “Brotherhood of Blue” is real, and so is their spouse support. Law enforcement organizations rolled out from all over the region to support this community and family. Religious support is critical and, in our community, it is alive and well. The faith-component of this community has been felt and appreciated.
My prayer is that C.J.’s wife, Jenefer, and two kids have felt this outpouring of love from their community. The celebration of life for C.J. was thoughtful and healing. The underlying theme was “Love One Another” and held at Crossings Church. Complete with speeches from C.J.’s law enforcement brothers and his wife, a 21-gun salute, police helicopter flyover, and a huge procession of police vehicles escorted by a BearCat SWAT vehicle driven by fellow-officer Sgt. Randy Payne. It was the fitting farewell to a wonderful protector of our community. We are forever thankful!
Rest in peace, Sgt. C.J. Nelson.
J. David Chapman is a professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).