Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Missouri Incident Date: Tuesday, February 11, 1919 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 10 years
Watchman Edward Bell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was patrolling the switch yards on the Missouri side of the Missouri Pacific bridge over the Kaw River when he was attacked by two brothers and shot in the abdomen. Another watchman who was in the yards shot and wounded one of the subjects.
Watchman Bell was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Both men were arrested and charged with Watchman Bell's murder. One of the subjects was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years. After two mistrials the other subject was convicted of fourth degree manslaughter and sentenced to two years.
Watchman Bell was survived by his wife. He is buried at Mount Saint Mary's Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
Survivors
Watchman Bell was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Watchman Bell served with the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Watchman Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman Edward Bell is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Bell's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Bell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Bell is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Bell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
