'It's never been about me:' Grand Forks Police Chief Mark Nelson honored in retirement ceremony
Sep. 21—GRAND FORKS — In the span of a career lasting four decades, how many community members can say their introduction to the Grand Forks Police Department was through Chief Mark Nelson?
Grand Forks Rep. Corey Mock's son is one of them. When the 2-year-old escaped the house, Nelson was the first to respond and "detain" the adventurous toddler.
Over and over in a Friday retirement ceremony for Nelson, friends and colleagues shared similar stories of the outgoing chief's commitment to his community and dedication to the people of Grand Forks.
He "leads with his heart," said Grand Forks County State's Attorney Haley Wamstad, and "quick to give credit where credit is due," according to Coiya Tompkins, executive director of the Community Violence Intervention Center. Due in large part to the culture created by Nelson, the cohesion between the sheriff's office and the police department is like none other in the state, according to Sheriff Andy Schneider — "Not even close."
"As I look around the room here," Nelson said in his remarks, "everyone's talking about me. It's never been about me, and it never will be about me. As I look here at every single person in this room, I can look and say I've had some type of interaction with them that has got me to where I am today."
Nelson signed off for the last time on Friday before his wife, children and grandchildren, members of the police department, city leadership, and dozens more friends and representatives from across city and state agencies. He was presented with parting gifts, including several plaques, a UND hockey jersey signed by members of the team, a Yeti cooler, an engraved knife and a photo album bound with fabric from the department's old uniforms.
Nelson has worked in law enforcement for 41 years. His law enforcement career began in Minot, and the last 36 years were spent with the Grand Forks Police Department, the last 10 as chief. The GFPD, founded in 1880, has existed for 144 years — that means Nelson has been a member of the department for 25% of its existence, Mock said.
Now that Nelson has stepped down, the city will open a nationwide search for his replacement. In the interim, longtime GFPD Lt. Dwight Love will head the department.
Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte, who was killed responding to a shooting in 2020, had a large presence in the ceremony. At one point, Nelson showed the audience his inner bicep tattoo of the GFPD logo. The tattoo featured 1880 — the year the department was founded — but also 639, Holte's badge number.
"That means when I leave this career, he's with me forever," Nelson said, addressing Holte's parents in the audience. "And so are you."
Nelson doesn't just leave behind the tragic parts of the job, Mock said, but also ceremonies to recognize outstanding citizens, and promotions and swearing-in ceremonies for officers. As he ended the retirement ceremony, Nelson emphasized that although he may get the accolades, it's the officers who do the work.
"Someone always says, 'What's your legacy?'" Nelson said. "I don't know. Is there a legacy? My legacy, I hope, is this — I left the place better than it was when I got it."
