Roll of Honor
Incident
The Texas State Police were formed during the administration of Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis on July 22, 1870, to combat crime statewide in Texas. It was dissolved on April 22, 1873. Private General Bell arrested a freed man named Drew. Both Bell and Drew were African Americans. Drew was charged with stealing horses in Falls County. Bell was bringing the prisoner to town when he was killed. Joseph Miller, a freed man, had furnished Drew with a pistol with which he killed Bell while riding along the road. The shot took effect in the small of the back, passing through the region of the kidneys, producing death in about fifteen hours.
Bell was a private in the First District of the Texas State Police from July 27, 1870 until his death. He was not married in the 1870 census.
Pvt. Bell, On today, the 150th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol February 25th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-7798EBAB- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
155 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Private Bell served with the Texas State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Texas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private General 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 Texas State Police, 10 of 10 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. General Bell's cause is highlighted.
How General Bell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. General Bell is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Texas State Police are honored on badge.nw.
