Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Thursday, December 23, 1926
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 234
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 11, 1926
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed
Policeman Joseph Bell succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 12 days earlier while questioning a suspicious subject at 21st Street and Lombard Street. Policeman Bell had witnessed the man ringing doorbells in the neighborhood. While questioning the subject he shot Policeman Bell in the abdomen.
The suspect was convicted of his murder and was later executed.
Policeman Bell had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for six years and was survived by his wife, five children, parents, and several siblings.