Elizabethtown Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, September 30, 1972
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 30, 1972
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Chief of Police Marvin Bell was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call.
He was familiar with the suspect and had arrested him several times before. As he approached the man, the suspect drew a weapon and opened fire, mortally wounding Chief Bell. Chief Bell was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Chief Bell was a United States World War II Army veteran who had served with the Elizabethtown Police Department for 18 years and had been the police chief for three years. He was survived by his wife and two children.