Baltimore City Police Department, Maryland
End of Watch Friday, October 27, 1978
Add to My HeroesNelson F. Bell, Jr.
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. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 4 years, 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
- Incident Date Sunday, October 22, 1978
- Weapon Officer's rifle
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 25 ReflectionsR.I.P. Officer Bell
GOD please hold these Heroes in your arms, and bless their Families and heal their pain.
They lay their lives down for us everyday. Thank you !!
August 5, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022