Senate Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE LEGACY OF MARSHALL COUNTY SHERIFF OSBORNE BELL WHO WAS LOST IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON MAY 7, 1986.

WHEREAS, on May 7, 1986, Marshall County Sheriff Osborne Bell lost his life in the line of duty during a traffic stop. A quarter century later, a marker now sits at the site of the shooting on a rural stretch of countryside. Another marker was erected in honor of Sheriff Bell in front of the county courthouse in Holly Springs; and

WHEREAS, the law enforcement community and the citizens of Marshall County wish to honor the trail-blazing Bell who was Marshall County's first African-American Sheriff. Osborne Bell loved his family, his community and his fellow law enforcement officers in the county; and

WHEREAS, Sheriff Bell was the oldest of nine siblings. His sister, Monet Autry, has served as Marshall County Justice Court Clerk for the past 11 years. Remembering the service and death of her brother will "send a clear message to every law enforcement officer that we respect their job" she stated. Despite the 23-year age difference between them (he was in the military by the time Monet was born), she knows that "Sheriff Osborne would just want people to know that he lost his life protecting the citizens of Marshall County"; and

WHEREAS, Sheriff Bell was Mississippi's first African-American Coroner in Marshall County before being elected Sheriff in 1979; and

WHEREAS, it is with great humility that we remember the service of this law enforcement professional who was a respected member of his community and whose legacy will not be forgotten:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby join the citizens of Marshall County, Mississippi, in commemorating the legacy of Sheriff Osborne Bell who was lost in the line of duty on May 7, 1986, and extend to his surviving family and law enforcement personnel our sympathy on the 25th Anniversary of his loss.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the surviving family of Sheriff Bell, forwarded to the Sheriff and Board of Supervisors of Marshall County, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.