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Incident
Marshal Douglas Bell was shot and killed with his own weapon after stopping a stolen vehicle outside of Keota. He had pursued the vehicle on Highway 77 for about three miles outside the town limits before the vehicle stopped. Fearing that Marshal Bell would discover that the vehicle was stolen, the driver attacked him as the marshal wrote a ticket. He was able to gain control of Marshal Bell's service revolver and shot him six times, reloaded it, and then shot him three more times. On August 28, 1979, a 21 year-old Iowa Penitentiary inmate was charged with Marshal Bell's murder. He was serving a 10 year sentence for a 1978 kidnapping conviction. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on July 29, 1980. Marshal Bell had served with the Keota Police Department for two weeks.
Survivors
He is survived by his father, who was a retired sheriff's deputy, his mother, and brother.
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.
Marshal Bell served with the Keota Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Keota community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Douglas is the only officer of Keota Police Department remembered here.
Douglas is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Douglas 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 1976, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Douglas was 22. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Douglas had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Douglas was 22. 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. Douglas had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Douglas was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Douglas had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Fridays: 14%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Keota Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Keota Police Department are honored on badge.nw.