Headstone of Nelson F. Bell

Nelson F. Bell

1978

Nelson F. Bell Jr.. Nelson served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.

How He Died
Manner Accident
Cause Multiple traumatic injuries
Mechanism Firearm
What Happened
Police Officer Nelson Bell succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained five days earlier after responding to the Trailways Bus Terminal, at 210 West Fayette Street, to backup officers who were being shot at by a man with a compound bow. During the ensuing shootout, the suspect was shot and killed. After the shooting ended Officer Bell was found approximately 30-feet away suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to the University of Maryland Hospital where he succumbed to his wound a short time later. It was determined that Officer Bell was not in the direct line of fire of the suspect or other officers involved in the shooting and that he was struck by a police rifle round that had ricocheted off of the hallway walls. Officer Bell had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for 4.5 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
Nelson F. Bell
Nelson F. Bell
Service Record
1970 – 1974
Vietnam War Cold War
Also Served
Baltimore Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtqht38gzpxnp4x5qxfvj
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by neuraweb.nw
Last updated August 2, 2026

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