Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico
End of Watch Thursday, April 28, 1881
Add to My HeroesJames W. Bell
Deputy Sheriff James Bell and Deputy Marshal Robert Olinger, of the United States Marshals Service, were shot and killed during an escape attempt by the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
Deputy Bell is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico.
Bio
- Age 28
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Related LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff George Hindman
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: April 1, 1878
Sheriff William Brady
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: April 1, 1878
Deputy Sheriff James Carlysle
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: November 27, 1880
Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Olinger
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, US
EOW: April 28, 1881
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsIn everything that I have read, Billie and Bell got along fine and liked each other. Some reports will tell you that the pistol used by Billie went off accidentally during a struggle on the staircase of the old Lincoln County Jailhouse. It has also been written that Billie actually grieved and suffered for some time after killing Bell. In all accounts, Bell was a good guy, friendly and liked by many.
James W. Kolm Jr.
Ex Deputy Sheriff --- Billie the Kid Historian
April 3, 2024
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