Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Joseph Bell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 12 days earlier while questioning a suspicious subject at 21st Street and Lombard Street. Officer Bell had witnessed the man ringing doorbells in the neighborhood. While questioning the subject he shot Officer Bell in the abdomen. The suspect was convicted of his murder and was later executed.
Survivors
Officer Bell had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for six years and was survived by his wife, five children, parents, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E169D520- 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.
Police Officer Bell gave the Philadelphia Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph Edward 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Edward Bell's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Edward Bell Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Edward Bell is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Edward Bell was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
