Holmes County Sheriff's Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Thursday, December 9, 1909
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 1
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 9, 1909
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 16 gauge
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Sheriff Jacob Bell was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an escapee from the Massillon State Hospital.
He and a deputy arrived at a home to take the suspect into custody, but the man began to run. Sheriff Bell chased after him and was about to catch him when the man suddenly turned and shot the sheriff in the chest with a 16-gauge shotgun at a distance of fewer than three feet. Sheriff Bell was able to walk into the residence but died within an hour.
The suspect was located by a posse and shot and killed.
Sheriff Bell had served with the Holmes County Sheriff's Department for almost four years. He was survived by his wife.