Incident
Patrolman William Bell died as a result of complication of frostbite on his foot.
He contracted frostbite while walking his assigned foot patrol beat. An infection developed that turned into gangrene and he died as a result two months later.
Patrolman Bell served with the Chester City Police Department for eight years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bell gave the Chester City Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Chester City Police Department has lost 17 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
William is one of 121 officers lost to illness in PA, 9.6% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1917, 1 officer in PA was lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 66.
In 1917, 1 officer in the United States was lost to illness, the 75th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1917, 5 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 115th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
William was 51. Of the 121 lost to illness in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 50; the middle age was 39. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 9.4 years.
William was 51. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
William was 51. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
April holds 5% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 49.6%. Thursdays: 11.6%.
April holds 6.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
April holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 11.8% of all 17 deaths at Chester City Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 9.6% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Chester City Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Mark W. Allen, Jr.
Feb 1, 1902
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James M. McDade Dec 1, 1903
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William Bell Apr 19, 1917
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William H. Padgett Aug 28, 1917
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Francis E. Kowalski
Dec 16, 1929
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Ellery Bertram Purnsley
Nov 6, 1948
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Michael Neal Carter
Nov 8, 1974
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John T. Lewis
Jul 17, 1986
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Lawrence John Fiorelli
Aug 7, 1986
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Robert John Boyle, Sr.
Mar 28, 1988
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William Payton Hamilton, Jr.
Feb 2, 1989
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Michael James Joyce
Feb 1, 1993
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Connie Smith Hawkins
Jul 1, 1993
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Thomas Owen Pilkington
Aug 13, 1993
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Michael Douglas Beverly
Oct 16, 2001
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Avery E. Freeman
Apr 30, 2012
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Robert Lee Walker
May 2, 2017
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Chester City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.













