Today, we remember Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Russell Richard Bell, South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Corporal Michael Allen Chappell, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff John Mark Dial.
On this date in 1990, Deputy Russell Bell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while transporting a mental patient to a hospital. The suspect was shot and wounded by other officers before being taken into custody. The suspect pleaded guilty to murder but was mentally ill and was sentenced to prison. He was paroled during the summer of 2006. Deputy Bell had been employed with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department for six years and is survived by his three grown children.
On this date in 1995, Lance Corporal Chappell was killed when his patrol car crashed while he was attempting to stop a traffic violator in Clarendon County. He died of massive head trauma when his patrol car left the roadway and struck a small tree. The vehicle he was attempting to stop was never located. Lance Corporal Chappell had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for eight years. He was survived by his wife and two sons, a sister, and three brothers.
On this date in 1992, Deputy Sheriff John Dial was killed when his patrol car was struck by a pickup truck being driven by a drunk driver. The collision occurred at the intersection of U.S. 321 and Crane Church Road. The 50-year-old driver was convicted of felony driving under the influence and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Deputy Dial had served with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for almost three years. He was survived by his wife.
