DELTA, Utah, April 29, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A Millard County Sheriff sergeant who died last Friday is being remembered by his friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers as a man who gave everything to help others.
Just one day after turning 50, Sgt. Brett William Nielson died in a motorcycle accident near Kanarraville on his way back from Las Vegas. His wife of 26 years, Angela Kaye Harris, was on the back of the motorcycle, and is still in the hospital.
Nielson’s family said they will remember him most for his love for his family, especially his grandkids and his love for riding his motorcycle.
Annie Wardle, Nielson’s daughter-in-law, said she is thankful he taught her husband Chris Wardle how to be a great husband and an amazing father to their own kids.
“He has been Chris’ stepdad since he was a toddler, and the only real father Chris had in his life. He helped raise his kids to become amazing adults,” Wardle said.
“He loved being ‘grumpy’ to the grandkids. You could always hear the joy in his voice whenever he spoke to them or saw them. He was just so involved. So happy to be a part of their life.”
Millard County Sheriff Robert Dekker, close family friend for 35 years, said the loss of Nielson leaves a big hole in his department and his lives.
“Brett knew all 7,000 miles of Millard County, and all the people of our community,” Dekker said. “He always rose to any occasion, no matter how tough the situation, he stood tall through all the things he needed to do.”
Dekker said Neilson was known for taking on challenges and getting things done, always with a bit of humor.
“If he said he was going to do something, he did it,” Dekker said. “We have a general supervisors meeting every Monday, he was so quick-witted and we all ended up laughing when we left. It really took out the pressure of those meetings.”
Dekker said it was a privilege to be a part of the Honor Guard to bring his fallen friend’s ashes back to Delta.
“It’s one of those calls you don’t expect to get, it just breaks your heart,” Dekker said. “He was was an intricate part of our community. His dad was a trooper, I watched him grow up and become a part of our department.”
A procession of law enforcement officers traveled over 90 miles from Provo to Delta, including officers from Salt Lake City Police Department and other cities across the state, to bring Nielson home to his family.
A memorial service will be planned once his wife is released from the hospital and recovers from her injuries.
Brett leaves behind his wife, his son Chris (Annie) Wardle, his daughter RyLee Nielson, three grandchildren Keaton, Kiera, and Aria, his parents Eric and Linda Nielson, one brother Clint (Yvette) Nielson and two sisters Beth (Jared) Poulsen and Candice Peterson.
Nielson, a resident of Delta since 1978, served during the Persian Gulf War as a Marine, worked in security for the Utah Department of Public Safety, and in 1992, joined the Millard County Sheriff’s Office.
