End Of Watch: Edmond Officer Laid To Rest After Fatal Crash

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the life of Edmond Police Sergeant CJ Nelson. He was killed while on duty last week. 

It was a day full of emotion at Crossings Community Church in Edmond where the ceremony was held.  

"He was easy going, even tempered, and always calm when everything seemed to be falling apart,” said Nelson’s wife, Jenefer Nelson.  

Sgt. Nelson was loved.  

"I don't know if a family's been loved too much, but from the look of this crowd, there's people that are going to try,” said J.D. Younger, Edmond Chief of Police.  

He often talked about being from Hawaii.  

"On the team, two types of time existed, there was CJ’s time, and there was everyone else's. We called it Hawaiian time, or island time,” said Joe Dilfa, who worked on the SWAT team with Sgt. Nelson.  

Sgt. Nelson was his own person.  

“CJ was not afraid to go against the grain, and he certainly didn't care what anybody else thought. [Another officer] said it best to me the other day, that if a thousand people were going one way, he was going the other. That was something we deeply respected about him,” Dilfa said.  

Service, sacrifice, and a selfless love for others.  

A father, a husband, a son.  

"He always told me I am stronger than I give myself credit for...I guess this is my time to prove him right,” Jenefer Nelson said.  

A community celebrating the legacy of a life well-lived…and a man, well-loved.  

CJ Nelson's legacy lives on in those he loved the most.  

"Emily has his independent spirit. his sarcastic, fun sense of humor, and the confidence to be true to herself. Connor has CJ's softer side, his gentle spirit. his easygoing attitude, and his servant's heart,” said Jenefer Nelson.