Connecticut Road Officially Named To Honor Fallen Trooper Killed In 1928

EASTERN CONNECTICUT — A state road in eastern Connecticut is now called Trooper Irving Nelson Memorial Highway in honor of a state trooper who was killed in the line of duty nearly a century ago.

State Representative Pat Boyd and Connecticut State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman hosted a dedication ceremony Friday. Trooper Irving Nelson Memorial Highway Roadway dedication is a portion of Route 97 in Pomfret.

Nelson was killed in the line of duty on April 6, 1928.

"Recognizing that there was no roadway memorial to commemorate Trooper Nelson's sacrifice, Troop D personnel began this project in the Spring of 2024 with assistance from the 50th District State Representative (Patrick Boyd) to formally dedicate a section of Route 97 to Trooper Nelson's memory," state police said.

Nelson who was from New Haven, was fatally shot in the line of duty in a scene that now seems to be right out of an old black-and-white gangster movie.

State police and Boyd said that, on the fateful day in 1928, Nelson responded to a call made to then-State Police Station No.5 in Danielson about a report of two men in the area wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Massachusetts earlier in the day.

Nelson located the suspects and pursued them on his motorcycle, heading north toward Putnam, they said.

During the pursuit, shots were fired back at the motorcycle, and two bullets struck Nelson, which resulted in his death.

"His bravery and sacrifice are an important part of Connecticut's law enforcement history to this day. The dedication along Route 97 in Pomfret will honor his legacy," they said.