Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Russell Bell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while transporting a mental patient to a hospital. The suspect was shot and wounded by other officers before being taken into custody.
The suspect pled guilty to murder, but mentally ill, and was sentenced to prison. He was paroled during the summer of 2006.
Survivors
Deputy Bell had been employed with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department for six years, and is survived by his three grown children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-CFF13ACD- 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 gave the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beaufort 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 Russell Richard 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell Richard Bell's cause is highlighted.
How Russell Richard Bell Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2006
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell Richard Bell is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell Richard Bell was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
