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Marvin James Bell
Incident
Chief of Police Marvin Bell was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call. He was familiar with the suspect and had arrested him several times before. As he approached the man, the suspect drew a weapon and opened fire, mortally wounding Chief Bell. Chief Bell was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Chief Bell was a United States World War II Army veteran who had served with the Elizabethtown Police Department for 18 years and had been the police chief for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Marvin 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.
Chief of Police Bell gave the Elizabethtown Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabethtown community, and 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
Marvin James Bell served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marvin is the only officer of Elizabethtown Police Department remembered here.
Marvin is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Marvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Marvin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 7 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marvin was 52. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Marvin had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Marvin was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Marvin had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Marvin was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Marvin had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Elizabethtown Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Marvin James Bell served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Marvin James 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 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Elizabethtown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.