Otis R. "Barney" Nelson

PACIFIC - Otis R. "Barney" Nelson, a retired St. Louis police sergeant and a former mayor of Eureka, died of pancreatic cancer, Saturday, June 21, 2003, at St. John's Mercy Skilled Nursing Center. He was 68.

Mr. Nelson grew up in Frankclay, and when he was about 8, some farm-hands gave him the nickname "Barney". It stuck.

After eight years in the Air Force, Mr. Nelson joined the St. Louis Police Department in 1963. Except for a six month departure during 1968, Mr. Nelson was with the department until his retirement in 1987. He was a detective sergeant from 1977 to 1982 and also supervised the police reserves unit for three years in the 1980s.

In 1989, Mr. Nelson ran for mayor in Eureka and unseated the incumbent for a two-year term. He won re-election to a four-year term in 1991. He resigned in 1994, shortly before his term was up, when his newly constructed home in Pacificwas finished.

"Barney was truly a character," said St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa. "He was known for his comedic relief. He was a country guy who was genuinely funny, but he could be very focused, too."

One of Mr. Nelson's first partners, retired police Maj. Larry Akley, said: "Barney was one of those guys who was fun to be around. He was always upbeat. He was a good guy and very proud of being a police officer, he was immaculate about his appearance. I can't think of anybody who knew Barney who didn't like him."

Visitation was Tuesday at the Cunningham-Millard-Cantriel Funeral Home in Eureka. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Among the survivors are his wife, Cheryl Nelson of Pacific; one daughter, Nona LaFaver of Warrenton; one son, Shannon Nelson of Pacific; three sons from a previous marriage: William and Robert Nelson of Pennsylvania and Barry Nelson of Michigan; and three grandchildren.