Roll of Honor
Incident
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
Deputy Sheriff James Bell and Deputy Marshal Robert Olinger, of the United States Marshals Service, were shot and killed during an escape attempt by the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
Deputy Bell is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-9D71F15C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Bell served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Carrizozo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James W. Bell is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Bell's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Bell Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Bell is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Bell was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
