07/28/2026
It is with profound sadness that New Hampshire Police Standards and Training announces the passing of Lieutenant Earl Nelson, a cherished member of our organization and a respected leader in New Hampshire law enforcement.
Lt. Nelson dedicated 46 years to serving the people of New Hampshire with professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment. Throughout his distinguished career, he served as a police officer with the Keene Police Department, a deputy sheriff with the Cheshire County Sheriff's Office, and as police chief for the Towns of Roxbury, Dublin, Chesterfield, Lyndeborough, and Marlborough.
Since joining New Hampshire Police Standards and Training in 2005, Lt. Nelson faithfully served as a Training Specialist and Commandant of the Part-Time Police Academy. In this role, he helped shape the next generation of law enforcement officers, providing mentorship, guidance, and leadership that left a lasting impact on countless recruits and colleagues alike.
Earl was the consummate professional—a trusted teammate, an exceptional mentor, and a genuinely kind and compassionate man. His dedication to the law enforcement profession and to the mission of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council strengthened our organization and enriched the lives of all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
His legacy will live on through the officers he trained, the communities he served, and the example he set through a lifetime of honorable service.
The members of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, along with our entire staff, extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Lt. Nelson's family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.
We are grateful for Earl's extraordinary service, and he will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
