Bakersfield Officer Who Died After Crashing Into Wall During Pursuit Was Burbank Native
GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — The body of a fallen Bakersfield police officer returned home after the former Burbank High School graduate died Friday morning in a crash during a pursuit.
Fellow officers came to pay their respects to David Nelson, 26, at Forest Lawn in Glendale where he will be laid to rest.
Footage captured a police motorcade arriving at the mortuary and Nelson's body was escorted by an honor guard.
"It's kind of fresh and we're still in shock over this," said Burbank police Officer Joshua Kendrick, who said Nelson previously worked with the department.
"As a police cadet for about 4 years and worked in our community outreach Media Relations area and assisted with some of our outreach events," Kendrick said.
Nelson then went to Bakersfield where he spent the past 2 years working patrol.
The Bakersfield Police Department says Nelson's car ran into a wall and light pole before catching fire. The crash happened Friday morning after Nelson started to pursue a vehicle.
He died at the hospital.
"It's a tough time for the chief. Clearly a tough time for the family. And you know, the Bakersfield Police Department is that extended family," Officer Joe Grubbs of the Bakersfield Police Department.
Nelson went to Burbank High School where he played on the water polo team.
CBS2 was told he worked as a lifeguard with Parks and Recreation before earning his degree from Occidental College.
Police said they're still looking for the suspect vehicle from the pursuit described as a silver Hyundai.
Family members of Nelson declined to go on camera, but said the young officer died doing what he loved. They described him as a good man who will be missed.
Friends also said Nelson was a great man who was respected and loved by many.
