Roll of Honor
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
BO-US-NC-F113CC57- Stewardship
- 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.
Chief of Police Marvin James 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 97,759 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 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Marvin James Bell's cause is highlighted.
How Marvin James Bell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marvin James Bell is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marvin James Bell was killed by gun.
Incident Location
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Elizabethtown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.