Prev
Incident
Sheriff Osborne Bell was shot and killed while assisting a deputy arrest a suspect on a drug-related charge. The deputy had stopped to investigate a car parked 500 feet south of Jamison road on Highway 309. When Sheriff Bell arrived a struggle resulted with the driver when they noticed drug paraphernalia in the car. The suspect shot Sheriff Bell in the face. The deputy returned fire wounding the suspect. Sheriff Bell died while en-route to a hospital in Tennessee. The suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. His conviction was overturned and he was tried a second time and sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. He was denied parole for the fifth time in 2011. Sheriff Bell had served in law enforcement for 20 years. He had been the Marshall County Sheriff for six years. He was Mississippi's first black coroner before being elected sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqhv0zf7tztsy57zk75b- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Osborne. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Bell gave the Marshall County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Holly Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marshall County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Osborne is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Osborne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Osborne 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 1986, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Osborne was 50. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Osborne had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Osborne was 50. 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. Osborne had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Osborne was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Osborne had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10.3% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 16.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Marshall County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Marshall County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Osborne among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Marshall County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
