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Incident
Patrolman Frederick Bell succumbed to injuries sustained four months earlier when he was thrown from his patrol car after it collided with a lumber truck at the intersection of Watertown Street and Walnut Street while escorting an ambulance to a local hospital.
Patrolman Bell's injuries did not first appear to be life-threatening. Four months after the collision, he was rushed to Newton Wellesley Hospital where he died of brain injuries sustained from the crash.
Patrolman Bell's brother, Patrolman Henry Bell, was shot and killed in the line of duty on August 22nd, 1937, along with Patrolman Lawrence Murphy, while also serving with the Newton Police Department.
Patrolman Bell was a United States Air Force veteran of WWII and had served with the Newton Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, three brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frederick. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Frederick is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Bell gave the Newton Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Newton community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Frederick Aloysius Bell served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Newton Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Frederick is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer in MA was lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frederick was 39. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Frederick had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Frederick was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Frederick had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frederick was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frederick had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Sundays: 14.6%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Newton Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Newton Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Frederick among them.
Where
Military Service
Frederick Aloysius Bell served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frederick Aloysius Bell’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Newton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
