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 26 ReflectionsDear dad I need you
Colleen bell
Daughter
April 22, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lewis
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 23, 2026

