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Incident
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
Deputy Sheriff James Bell and Deputy Marshal Robert Olinger, of the United States Marshals Service, were shot and killed during an escape attempt by the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
Deputy Bell is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Bell served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Carrizozo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1881, 1 officer at Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1878, with 3.
In 1881, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 28. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Lincoln County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 30; the middle age was 28.
James was 28. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37.
James was 28. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 37.5% of these deaths at Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Thursdays: 12.5%.
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 88.9% of all 9 deaths at Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 62.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
