Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As a child who grew up in Holly Springs, I and so many others looked up to Sheriff Bell. His serving as Coroner and Sheriff was a source of pride to everyone in the Black community in this small Mississippi town that was just coming out of Jim Crow. His death left all of us numb, shocked, and devastated. I pray that his murderer never ever sees the light of day.

Maurice Moody
FL Department of Hlt. in Escambia County and a son of Holly Springs

January 11, 2022

Did some work at Rust College in the Sixties. From Michigan State. Never thought things would move fast enough that a black man would be elected sheriff. Glad I was wrong. Sorry I was wrong. And most sorry that Sheriff Bell did not live out his term and go even further.
A hell of a man and a hell of a citizen.
A terrible loss.
May God bless his family and his name be for a blessing.

Richard AUBREY
Part time teacher in Rust College, Holly Springs, Marshall County.

September 27, 2021

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 7, 2021

I come to this page every now again to read comments left about man! I never before today thought I would every share my story. I’m 44 years of age now!
I’ve never been to jail before in my life and I really believe it’s because of Sheriff Osborne Bell. I was only 4 or 5 when he visited Holly Springs Headstart to speak to us! I remember it just like it was yesterday. He chose me out of all other children to demonstrate and put the handcuffs on. My hands were so small they slipped right out of them. He said something that I can’t remember exactly but I know it effected my life forever. I thank you from the bottom of my heart...... R.I.H you wonderful MAN.

Nakomus G Lawrence Sr.

October 3, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 7, 2020

Bart Mease is my 3rd cousin. I remember him as a mean little kid, basically a brat from Hades. I had no idea that he killed someone in Florida when he was 16 yrs old, and spent 4 years in prison, and released when he was 20. 2 years later he killed Sheriff Bell, cold-blooded murder. Nobody in our family knew, except his Grandparents and Mother. Please family and friends of Sheriff Bell, keep up the good work of keeping him in jail for the rest of his life. I have no doubt that if he is released, he will kill again. He's evil, always has been always will be.

B.T.
Concerned citizen

April 5, 2019

Sheriff Bell your sacrifice will never be forgotten! Thank you for your dedicated service to Marshall County and the citizens you were sworn to protect! Continue to rest in peace my fellow LE Brother!
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD." Matthew 5:9

Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, TroopD

May 7, 2016

my name is guy phillips, i remmeber osborne bell. i was much younger then, but my daddy and older brother earl phillips all voted and respected sheriff bell. they said he was one of the best that marshall county ever had. and i believe he was and i want to start a memorial or campaigne to name all of hwy 309 in his name and honor

citizen of marshall co.
business owner, byhalia welding co.

April 17, 2016

To all my cousins, aunts, extended family members and friends. Reading your stories about the time you met daddy. Reading the stories about the time you had some type of interaction with my father. And some just know about his great repetition for the love he had for all people. Thank you! May 7, 1996, my father died and my world has never been the same. I have been crying going on 30 years. I miss him so! But, God and my Jesus Christ has been my savory. He sent people in my life with great stories about my father that is so, comforting. Thank you, on behalf of my mother Gwendolyn, my sister Gail and my brothers Calvin and Osborne, Jr. In God we Trust!

Toni Michele Bell
Daughter

February 17, 2016

Your Sacrifice will never be forgotten! Thank you for your dedicated service to the Citizens and County of Marshal.
Continue to rest in Peace Sheriff Bell!
"Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD!"
Matthew 5:9

Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop D

May 7, 2015

In 1979 Sheriff Bell assisted and waited with me in my car late one night on Hwy 309 for about an hour, until a tow truck came to pick me up. While traveling to visit my aunt in Memphis, both my tire & rim were damaged by a steel rod lying in the road. He told me that the place where I was stranded was one of the most dangerous roads in Mississippi and that he wanted to make sure I was safe until the tow truck arrived. I will never forget this man, because, of his professionalism and sweet spirit. A truly God fearing man who served his community well, a true public servant. His work is done, and he will always be remembered!
Jo Ann
Little Rock, AR

Stranded motorist in 1979 on Hwy 309.
Friend / acqaintance

April 2, 2015

Same reflection as "K. Caldwell," above. Almost verbatim, and I am also from Knoxville, TN!

D. Hale

September 16, 2014

I happened upon the marker for Sheriff Osborne on Highway 309. I'm glad I was able to learn of this dedicated individual whose life was tragically cut short. His life was one of great achievement.

K. Caldwell, Knoxville, TN

February 21, 2014

I can remember that horrible day when my mother fell to her knees as she buried her slain brother. My mother went to her death bed petitioning for Bart Mease to never be released from prison. In honor of my diseased mother and the slain Sheriff Osborn Bell, the struggle to keep Mease imprisoned continues. Sheriff Bell was a great person who saw everyone in his eyes as being equal. What a tragic loss to my family and to the citizens of Marshall County, MS.

Levanda Goodman
Niece

February 9, 2012

I did not know sheriff Bell, my wife and I spend a lot of time exploring the back roads of the south. Driving down hwy 4 west of Holly Springs Ms we turn down a small paved road and did not see the Memorial highway sign. We soon came up on the marker and monument to him. we read and made pictures of the site. We did not talk to anyone in marshall county about him , we did in Sledge, and near Batesville and at Tunica. It was a lost to his county,state, and nation.

Maj Lawrence Southard RET US Army
none

July 3, 2011

Rest in peace. I should have been there to save you,
You offered me a Job in 1985 But your Cousin Pamela Greenwood, Now My Wife did not want to live in Holly Srings.
I always think about that would i had of been with you and I Myself Killed or Would I had saved you!! It Hunts Me to this Day.. People say death is easy, or The dead are fine. But of course they are still alive, No One wants to be Dead.. Its not pretty. I am Sorry for you and your family.

SGT Willie E. Simpson
317th Military Police BN

May 18, 2011

Sheriff Bell RIP. You are missed everyday by your family and friends.Thank you for your service

Ret. C/O Michael Gilbert
Iowa Departmenr of Corrections

March 6, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 7, 2010

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 7, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 3, 2007

MY UNCLE OSBORNE WAS A VERY NICE AND KIND MAN. AS A CHILD I SPENT MAY DAYS AND NIGHTS AT HIS HOUSE. HE WAS VERY PLAYFUL AND FUND OF CHILDREN.HE WOULD ALWAYS,BITE MY JAWS,PINCH ME AND DO OTHER PLAYFUL THINGS TO MAKE ME LAUGH.I WAS FOURTEEN AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. I REMEMBER IT LIKE YESTERDAY. HE HAS BEEN SINCERELY MISSED BY HIS FAMILY, LOVED ONES AND ALL OF MANKIND. IN MY OPINION THE PERSON THAT KILLED HIM WAS JUST THE TRIGGER MAN, AND THAT OTHER POWERS TO BE HAD KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS INFLUENCE ON THIS CRUEL ASSASINATION THAT ENDED HIS LIFE SO EARLY. I MAY NOT LIVE TO SEE JUSTICE BEING PROPERLY SERVED IN THIS MURDER CASE, BUT HOPE, PRAY AND BELEIVE THAT ON DAY IT WILL HAPPEN, JUST AS IT HAS IN OTHER CASES(I.E., MEDGER EVERS, AND VERY SOON THE EMMITT TILL MURDER). THIS LOSS HAS
BEEN DIFFICULT FOR ALL TO DEAL WITH IN SO MANY WAYS, EVEN TWENTY YEARS LATER. UNCLE OSBORNE MAY PHYSICALLY NOT BE HERE WITH US, BUT DEFINATELY WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A KIND MAN WITH A BIG HEART. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND REMEMBER YOU.

YOUR NEPHEW,

EFFREM F. GOODMAN

EFFREM F. GOODMAN
NEPHEW

November 11, 2006

Sheriff Bell was a great individual in the Marshall County community. Although, I was five years old when he died, he will be remembered as a person who helped others and for being a great role model in the community. Sheriff Bell, thank you for all you did for the people of Marshall County and the state of Mississippi. God bless the Osborne Bell family!!!

Karvis Jones
WMC-TV

June 9, 2006

Osborne was truly a role model for his family and the community he served. I admired him for his public service so much that I decided to join in the legacy he left in Marshall County by serving this community. Our family will continue to keep his legacy of love and dedication to Marshall County alive.

Monet Bell Autry
Sister

May 30, 2006

Sheriff Osborne Bell was the kind of gentleman who looked out for everyone, even lost news reporters. The good Sheriff once pulled up alongside our news cruiser and wondered aloud, "what are y'all looking for?" When we named a restaurant, Sheriff Bell didn't give us directions...he led us there. I did one story with him about low down, no good con men who were "blacktopping" driveways and other jobs with poor craftsmanship. The Sheriff alerted us to the story and hopefully, we ran those no-goods out of Holly Springs and Marshall County. May God bless the Osborne Family and grant Eternal Rest, O Lord, to our Sheriff!

Joe Birch
News Reporter

May 29, 2006

It was truly a tragic, sad day when Sheriff Bell was lost. As a long time member of the media, I remember Sheriff Bell as one of the friendliest, most honest and respected law enforcement officers you would ever run across. Everyone, from the crook to the saint respected Sheriff Bell. The rapport he had with everyone was amazing and unique. He would always go out of his way to help someone out. I covered the events surrounding his death that day, and I remember the shock that the entire Mid-South felt when he was taken. He was a rare individual and Mississippi was a better place when he was with us. God bless Sheriff Bell and his family, again, now 20 years later.

G Paul Luke
Washington, DC (WMC-TV 1984-2001)

May 28, 2006