Eric Adrian Bell

Eric was born in San Francisco California on July 5, 1952 to parents Major Bell and Vera Louise (maiden name Washington). In his early years he went to live with his mother Vera in Santa Monica CA, who went on to wed Earl Gladman. Eric was full of energy as a child and as a teen went on to excel in sports. He was captain of the football team at St. Monica’s high school and was recruited as a draft pick fresh out of high school to play for the California Angels Baseball team. He spent a year in the minors and was looking forward to being moved up to the then, Los Angeles Angels as well as being recruited by a few other teams including his favorite, Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, he was injured just after his first season and unable to continue his baseball career. He spent a fraction of time in Vietnam and went on to attend West LA College and earned a degree in Physical Fitness. It was after this period that he found his calling as an Inglewood Police Officer.

Eric joined the Inglewood Police Department in 1977. He was extremely proud of being a police officer and gave his all to protect and serve the community he worked in. He enjoyed working the streets and after only a few years on the force he became one of the first black dog handlers in IPD at that time. He and his dog Hasso were well respected and were at the epicenter of many great stories and memories. Unfortunately, Eric was forced to retire due to injuries he sustained in a firefight in the line of duty, while working on a federal drug task force in February of 1990. He cherished the memories and told stories of his glory days of him and Hasso on the streets often.

While working at IPD he also happened to meet his beautiful wife, Lillian. A tough and feisty, Centinela emergency room nurse, who turned him down 3 times before finally accepting his invitation to go out on a date. After 1 date turned into many more, the two tied the knot and were married from 1980 until the time of his passing. They had 2 daughters together, Judy and Lauren who passed away in 2017.

Eric’s love for fast cars, fishing, riding horses, football and baseball and camping may have started at a young age but these passions continued until the date of his passing. He still found time to enjoy them while coaching girls’ softball and carting his girls to and from soccer and softball tournaments every weekend.

Later in life he enjoyed golfing and racing mustangs. He spent many weekends on the track racing against the clock, at the shooting range or deep sea fishing with his son in law Deshaun. He even took his grandchildren, nieces and nephews to join in the festivities at the range, on the golf course and the track from time to time.

For the last 7 years of his life, Eric cared for his two youngest grandchildren, Riley and Erik regularly. They were especially close to their “Pop Pop” and couldn’t wait to be dropped off daily to play and be silly with him. Even as he endured chemo he asked for “his kids” to be there daily to visit with him. If he had the strength, he would play their favorite game “pop pop monster”, chasing them and growling, as they ran and screamed.

Eric was an exceptional man and will be missed but always remembered by all of his close family and friends. He made a positive impact on this world and touched the hearts of many people throughout his life. He is survived by his wife Lillian Bell, sister Kim Gladman, Daughter Judy Houston, her daughter Riley and her son Erik, son Mark Phillips, his son Mark, II and daughter Shanti and Daughter Nicole Buzdigian of Philadelphia PA.