Richard C. Nelson (C. 1885-November 28, 1921)

Richard C. Nelson, the first known black officer of Sapulpa. Patrolman Nelson’s first article praised him for working along with the Sheriff’s Department in 1913, stating “Officer Nelson Grabs a Party Wanted in Lincoln County for Stealing from Sheriff”. Within his first year as a patrolman, Officer Nelson’s first wound-on-duty would be from a drunken couple. Officer Nelson was (nearly) shot in the face, receiving a burn on his cheek from the gun powder. Little did he know, not even 10 years later, he would be inflicted with a  similar wound that would kill him.
 
By 1918, the City Directories began listing Nelson as Deputy Sheriff. Although his position was for the black community of Sapulpa, Officer Nelson had high marks and standings in the community. Mrs. Nelson owned a Meat Market for a short time within their household at 208 N Hickory from 1920-1924.
 
A respected citizen, and a former interpreter for the Native American agency, Legus Brown was in a car accident with his brother, Tom. The other car had the passengers of Officer Nelson, David Croston, and Floyd Conner. Legus stated that shortly after exiting his own vehicle to check on Nelson’s vehicle, gun shots rang out. Both Nelson and Croston were shot in the head and killed instantly. Legus claimed self-defense, and his brother, Tom Brown, and Floyd couldn’t describe the scene when police arrived.

The morning after the shooting the articles about the night stated:
"Nelson and Croston were found dead beside their car on the road, just east of the Pageant grounds...Floyd Conner came to the sheriff's office and was an eye witness to the shooting...
At the Glass undertaking parlors that Nelson had been shot twice. One shot was said to have entered at the left corner of the mouth, coming out at the back of the neck, and the other above and behind the right ear, emerging over the left eye. Both shots were pronounced fatal, the one through the mouth breaking his neck...
The bullet striking Croston is said to have entered the corner of the right eye, and to have emerged back of the right ear. Apparently all wounds were made by a steel bullet...
Conner stated they passed another car and accidently struck it, tearing loose the bumper. An argument started over the accident, and both Nelson and the [Native Americans] drew guns. Nelson put his gun up offered to pay for the damage saying he was a deputy sheriff, and started to take one man's name when the shooting started...
Brown has a good reputation as a law abiding citizen. He was one of the first men from here to volunteer for duty in the army during the war ([World War I]). He owns a farm near here...
Both Nelson and Croston also bore good reputations here. Nelson, who was 36, had a number of years experience as a deputy sheriff and policeman. He was married and had thirteen children. He owned a store in the addition. Croston was 24. Their bodies were taken to the Sapulpa Funeral Home undertaking parlors ([Glass Funeral Home])."
 
However, Legus Brown confessed to the shooting and killing of Officer Nelson and Croston. Little is known about the trial, however, the jury acquitted the Browns the following year*.
 
The Nelson family moved to Detroit, Michigan by 1931. In May 1990, The Michigan Chronicle wrote an article on the Nelson family. It stated: “William Nelson is proud that his father, Richard C. Nelson, was once considered the fastest gun in Oklahoma...members of his family were recognized as Creek County community leaders among White residents as well as Black ones.”

*In the Sapulpa, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City newspapers, states that Legus Brown was a known, wealthy Native American, and had killed (in self-defense, drunken brawls, and other cases) at least five people in the 1920s-1930s. All cases he was acquitted.