Press Release
Posted:
Vallejo – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced Detective Kelsea Nelson of the Santa Rosa Police Department and the City of Santa Rosa’s inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team as the 2025 Sonoma County Public Safety Heroes. Every year, Thompson honors first responders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in our community.
Rep. Thompson with Detective Kelsea Nelson.
Rep. Thompson with KT Swan accepting on behalf of the inRESPONSE team;
“Our first responders go above and beyond to protect and serve the communities they call home. I am proud to recognize many of the public safety heroes in our district who go the extra mile to keep us safe,” said Thompson. “Detective Kelsea Nelson has shown dedication and resolve throughout her service as a detective, most notably when she assisted in the location and recovery of a missing juvenile. The inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team has provided comprehensive crisis intervention throughout Santa Rosa, reducing the use of force in incidents and strain on the Police Department. Detective Nelson and the inRESPONSE Team have displayed commitment to their community and are well deserving of this recognition.”
Detective Nelson serves with the Santa Rosa Police Department as their Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Detective, honor guard member, and defensive tactics instructor. In May of 2024, Detective Nelson was assigned to a missing juvenile case. She successfully followed leads and tracked the suspect across multiple states. Her swift and strategic efforts led to the safe recovery of the juvenile and the apprehension of the suspect. Detective Nelson’s work shows her selfless dedication and service at the highest levels to our community and the Law Enforcement profession.
Santa Rosa’s inRESPONSE Team, which has been in service since 2022, has been instrumental in reducing the use of force during incidents and in reducing the strain on local police departments. In 2024, they responded to nearly 5,000 calls for crisis intervention – and nearly 1,000 more for resources. Their presence has allowed police officers to focus on investigating and responding to crimes and emergencies. The inRESPONSE team also provides individuals in distress with mental health personnel, including counselors, who may be more familiar with crisis intervention than a police officer. Their presence has greatly benefited our community, and they have helped keep Santa Rosa a safe place to live.
The full list of 2025 Public Safety Heroes for the Fourth Congressional district includes:
- Detective Michael Nakahara, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Lake County
- Captain Bret Butler, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Lake County
- Sergeant Erik Olson, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Napa County
- Station Lead Roger Lutz, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Napa County
- Officer Matthew Bowen, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Solano County
- EMT Michael Robinson, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Solano County
- Officer Murph, Canine Public Safety Hero, Solano County
- Detective Kelsea Nelson, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Sonoma County
- inRESPONSE Program, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Sonoma County
- Deputy Reiko Matsumura, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Yolo County
- Battalion Chief Emily Lo, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Yolo County