Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Luke Bell was shot and killed with his own handgun after recapturing a prisoner who escaped his custody near the intersection of Elm Street and North Houston Street. The officer was transporting three prisoners to jail when one fled. He caught up to the escapee, who put his hands up to surrender. However, the man grabbed Officer Bell's handgun and shot him in the side. The suspect was shot and wounded after a long police chase. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years. He was killed in prison during an argument. Officer Bell was a United States Army World War I veteran and had served with the Dallas Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-0C646E90- 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 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.
Officer Bell gave the Dallas Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas 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
Luke J. Bell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Luke J. 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dallas Police Department, 55 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Luke J. Bell's cause is highlighted.
How Luke J. Bell Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Luke J. Bell is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Luke J. Bell was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
94 officers from Dallas Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
