Updated at 11 a.m. July 1, 2015
Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson, a former Burbank police cadet who was killed Friday when his patrol car crashed during a pursuit, will be eulogized Wednesday afternoon at a service at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills.
Nelson, 26, was a two-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department, according to Bakersfield police Sgt. Joe Grubbs.
A viewing was held Tuesday night at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, where a funeral service will be held in the chapel at 1:30 this afternoon, followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn Glendale.
The Forest Lawn Drive offramps from the Ventura (134) Freeway will be closed until about 3:30 or 4 p.m. to accommodate the funeral procession.
The procession will leave Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills and go north on Memorial Drive, east on Forest Lawn Drive, east on Zoo Drive, south on Western Heritage Way, south on Crystal Springs Drive, south on Griffith Park Drive, east on Los Feliz Boulevard, and south on Glendale Avenue into Forest Lawn- Glendale.
Nelson, who grew up in Burbank and attended Burbank High School, worked as a Burbank police cadet from 2008 to 2012.
Burbank police Officer Joshua Kendrick told City News Service that Nelson “had worked for us for about four years as a police cadet, participating in our community outreach events. One of them was ‘shop with a cop’ and there were drug take-back events and others.”
“He always had a positive attitude and upbeat spirit,” Kendrick said. “At some point he transitioned to the Bakersfield Police Department. We always wish our cadets could stay with us, but we are also encouraged when they are plugged in to law enforcement anywhere.”
Nelson was conducting a traffic stop about 3 a.m. Friday when the motorist apparently failed to comply and a pursuit ensued. Other officers found Nelson in his crashed patrol car, and he died a short time later at a hospital.
The investigation led to the arrest on Saturday night of Julian Hernandez, 32, of Bakersfield, who was booked on suspicion of evading an officer in a vehicle causing injury or death and other violations.
An account for donations in memory of Nelson has been established at the Bakersfield City Employee Federal Credit Union, 2817 16th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301. Donations can be made at that location; to the Bakersfield Police Officers Association, Officer Assistance Fund at the BCEFCU; or via check or Paypal at www.bpoa.us.
The funds from the account will be forwarded to a memorial scholarship fund the family is establishing in Nelson’s name.
—City News Service