John P. Nelson

I was 14 when I met John shortly after he started the force in '68. We'd hang downtown in groups of 5-15 kids and he would always stop and talk with us. Never tried to play hard guy to impress us kids, as others have, we all just grew to like this guy. Most of the olders didnt get a chance to meet and talk with him passing by with their own schedules. After he was a patrol cruiser he would stop by the parks, to make sure we weren't getting into mischief. Maybe I've only been with him 20-25 times and talked 15-20 minutes at a time, but always seemed as if we were friends forever, and called me by my first name. You could sense "niceness" around him and serious sincerity when speaking with him about anything. I envy his family, not for the loss, but to be able to share their lives with his. Unlike those people on the avenue when i was a kid. John's family in support of the K-9 program for the Appleton police is selling t-shirts. If all I have to do to promote John's memory is buy a t-shirt... sign me up. Good man, Good cop. John, the next time I see you on patrol, pull me over and we'll talk again.

Barb and family - I recently heard of the passing of your husband and father. I was so sorry to hear this. Barb, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your kids. Take care of yourself until you meet John once again.

Our sympathy to the Nelson family. When I first met John and saw him in his police uniform, I thought he was the toughest cop I had ever met. When we were on the street and John had to raise his voice, people took a step back. But as we worked together and became friends, I found that John had a heart of gold.
We will miss John. Until we meet again my friend.
And we will.

It was always a pleasure when John and his partner Steve stopped in at the Paper Valley Hotel near the end of their shift. They'd always regal us with "Tales from the Avenue" of the crazy people getting into trouble downtown. Or the fun in the early days when APD had BMW motorcycles.
Have fun up in Heaven LT. where the ride is smooth and the weather is nice all day!

Scott Parkinson

John was our bus driver on many Senior trips from Negaunee,Michigan.He always got us from point A to point B and back home safely. John was amazing how he could turn that bus on a dime,I swear.Very friendly and professional, my last trip with him was to Boston. Prayers and my heart felt deepest sympathy to all the family. Believe me,John will be Missed ! RIP,John !

RIP John. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. Words can't express the loss.