In 1983, Nelson was appointed Bristol County Sheriff by Governor
Michael Dukakis following the resignation of
Edward Dabrowski. He was elected to finish Dabrowski's term in 1984 by winning a five-way Democratic primary. He was elected unopposed to a full term in 1986 and won the 1992 Democratic primary with 62% of the vote. Nelson resigned in 1997 and was succeeded by his Assistant Deputy Superintendent
Thomas Hodgson. ==References==