Corporal Robert H. Bell, Delaware State Police, Delaware

Corporal Robert H. Bell

Delaware State Police, Delaware

End of Watch Tuesday, September 7, 1993

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Robert H. Bell

Corporal Bell died after contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion received following a line of duty injury.

On January 14, 1981, Corporal Bell was assisting another trooper during a struggle with a suicidal man on Kirkwood Highway. During the struggle, Corporal Bell received a severe back injury, which required surgery and a blood transfusion. The blood he received during the surgery was tainted with AIDS, which Corporal Bell then contracted. The blood was traced to the original donor, who was confirmed to be suffering from the virus as well.

Corporal Bell was a United States Marine Corps Reserve veteran and had served with the Delaware State Police for 11 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter, three sisters, and five grandsons.

Bio

Age 51
Tour 11 years
Badge 396
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Duty related illness
Incident Date Wednesday, January 14, 1981

communicable disease, officer assistance

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Most Recent Reflection

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Bob, I know you will never see this however; I must write to you. We grew up together in Brookside and I admired you then, as even more today. Life was short for you as I've lived over thirty years longer. You gave selflessly of yourself for others. God has surely blessed you Bob. Rest in the knowledge that many others unrelated to you loved you as a brother. Milt Keene 1942--

Milton Keene friend

September 30, 2024