Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Bell and Detective Marlyn Bateson were killed when their unmarked patrol car was struck by a drunk driver at 10 p.m. The detectives were en route to assist another unit on a man with a gun call. The officers were stopped at a red light at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Livernois Street. When the light turned green, they entered the intersection and were struck by a drunk driver at a speed of 80 mph. The suspect was never charged in connection with their deaths but was later convicted of murdering nine women. Detective Bell was a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a radioman in the invasion of Okinawa and the Battle of Leyte. He had served with the Detroit Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-5F4E9574- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Detective Bell gave the Detroit Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit 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
William L. Bell served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Detective William L. 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 59.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William L. Bell's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Bell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Bell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Bell was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Military Service
William L. Bell served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William L. 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
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
