Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Bell was shot and killed as he attempted to sneak up on three men at a still during a raid in the woods south of Wilmington. The trio, escapees from a prison work camp where they were serving terms for alcohol violations, were apprehended on April 2, 1928, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Survivors
Deputy Bell was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-134E953D- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bell served with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Castle Hayne 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
Deputy Sheriff John 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Bell's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Bell Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Bell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Bell was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from New Hanover County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
