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Incident
Sheriff Charles Bell was shot and killed as he and his deputy attempted to arrest a drunken blacksmith. Sheriff Bell and the deputy went to the suspect’s home, and while upstairs, the suspect stormed in and shot Sheriff Bell. The deputy returned fire and killed the suspect. The deputy, George Washington Batton, was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 3, 1922, while serving as sheriff of Eddy County, New Mexico. Sheriff Bell had served with the Brown County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Bell gave the Brown County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brownwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brown County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 46. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Brown County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Brown County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Brown County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.