BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — David Nelson was a Bakersfield police officer who lost his life during a high-speed chase 11 years ago.

“David passed in 2015, and since then we’ve built a scholarship honoring local students who graduated, who are graduating, going in public service or graduating police cadet.,” Erik Nelson, David’s brother said. “And that’s why we’re gathered here today to kick off this week as we hand over the scholarship management from the current high school district’s educational foundation to the Bakersfield Police Officers Foundation.”

Over $108,000 is being transferred from the Kern High School District Educational Foundation to the Bakersfield Police Officers Foundation to continue preserving Officer Nelson’s legacy for future generations.

“These men and women and canines go to work every day not knowing what the day holds. And they put their lives on the line for this community. David was one of those people. There’s many names on the list at the Peace Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.. There’s a list in the state of California up in Sacramento as well.”

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This transfer allows for even more scholarships to be awarded to graduating high schoolers and young police hopefuls looking to join the academy.

“There’s been two years in the last ten that were actually my own children were recipients of this scholarship. And so I know the impact that it has on the family in trying to be able to put kids through college. And it’s extra special for me in that regard, too, because I get to see my kids being, you know, tied in to David’s name to work with David’s family,” Brent Stratton, chief of police for BPD said.

Stratton believes there’s no better way to kickoff Peace Officers Memorial Week than honoring one of Bakersfield’s own.

“You know, President Kennedy started in 1962 a police officer memorial recognition. And it’s just an opportunity for communities to be able to press pause and think about the officers who have been killed in the line of duty and the families that they have left behind.”

The Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff’s Office will have continued commemorations and events throughout the week.

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