Jeff was born on November 19, 1949 in Quantico, Virginia to United States Marine Robert E. and Gloria J. Nelson. He graduated from Anderson High School and, for two years, attended the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Administrative Management.
While attending and after high school, Jeff worked at Coney Island managing rides.
In December 1968, during the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He graduated from basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in February 1969 and was assigned to the U.S.S. Yellowstone, a destroyer tender, working in the engine room and on air conditioning systems. Machinist Mate 3/c Nelson was honorably discharged in November 1972 with a National Service Defense Medal.
After returning home, and until July 1978, he worked at Cincinnati Milicron as an Inventory Analyst.
While working at Milicron, on May 9, 1977, Jeff completed the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program at the Hamilton County Police Academy.
On March 2, 1979, Jeff joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer. Already by August, he was selected from the Jail Division to receive firearms instructor training at the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy. During his tour in Corrections, the only “fault” his supervisor could identify was his zeal to be a Patrol Officer. On March 27, 1980 he was provisionally appointed Patrol Officer. He was officially transferred on June 25, 1980. In 1987, he transferred to the Traffic Safety Section. On June 15, 1987 he was promoted to Traffic Corporal. In May 1990, he transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division, Special Operations Unit April 1992 as a Detective. In April 1994, he was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force where in investigated a major motorcycle gang, an interstate drug violator, and an international criminal Nigerian organization. He was promoted to Sergeant on April 4, 1996 and returned to the Patrol Division. Sergeant Nelson retired on November 1, 2004 with 31 years of service to his country and county and numerous letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
Recently, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sergeant Nelson died on September 13, 2023 at the age of 73.
Sergeant Nelson is survived by his wife of 49 years, Shelly Rae (McDonough) Nelson; children, Stacy Marie, Joey, and Jeffrey Michael Nelson; grandchildren, Brooklyn, Brogan, and Colton; brother, Jim (Lynn) Nelson; and siblings-in-law, Kenny and Kim Wilson, Britt and Laura Saylor, Steve and Diane McDonough, and the late Paula and Harry Hamilton.
Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home at 129 North Riverside Avenue in Loveland. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m.
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