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Russell Richard Bell
Incident
Deputy Russell Bell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while transporting a mental patient to a hospital. The suspect was shot and wounded by other officers before being taken into custody.
The suspect pled guilty to murder, but mentally ill, and was sentenced to prison. He was paroled during the summer of 2006.
Survivors
Deputy Bell had been employed with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department for six years, and is survived by his three grown 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. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Russell is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bell gave the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beaufort community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Russell Richard Bell served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1971â1973) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Russell is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Russell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Russell 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 1990, 1 officer at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 2002, with 2.
In 1990, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Russell was 53. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 44; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Russell was 53. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Russell was 53. 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. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 60%. Tuesdays: 80%.
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
Military Service
Russell Richard Bell served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1971–1973) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Russell Richard 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 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
