Dennis was born on 23 August 1952, the son of Richard and Nancy Bell, in Leetonia, Ohio. He was the second oldest son of what would become a large and wonderful family with seven brothers and one sister: Danny, Richard, Michael, Mark, Paul, Patrick, Darlene, and Tom. Throughout his youth Dennis was an outstanding student and athlete who demonstrated a diligent work ethic and attained superior grades in his classes while working in town and learning carpentry from his father. He trained in boxing with his brother, Danny, and eventually played as a starting offensive guard and defensive linebacker for his high school football team, the Leetonia Bears.
After graduation from Leetonia, Dennis soon found his life calling. He moved to Orlando, Florida and began his career as a police officer with the Orlando Police Department. Dennis, affectionately known by his brothers in blue as “D.B.”, protected and served the populations of Orlando and Oviedo for 38 years. He attained the rank of Lieutenant and gained legendary status as “a cop’s cop” who had an uncanny sixth sense for relentlessly preventing, identifying and solving crimes. He was not known to sit and wait for the call, but was always on patrol in overwatch looking for things amiss. As a testament to this, Dennis was selected as the Police Officer of the Year for the City of Orlando in 1979. His supervisors and fellow officers remember Officer Bell:
“When I was a Property Section Investigator in the 70’s, a young Dennis Bell would bring me information on possible suspects in my cases. I’m certain that he did the same for others. He brought good information that resulted in the successful clearance of cases. Dennis didn’t do it for recognition; he truly wanted to catch bad guys and took pleasure in doing his part.”
“A great policeman, very professional, very reliable.”
“Dennis had an incredible crime fighting work ethic and a remarkable investigative instinct. His dry and edgy sense of humor was one of his trademarks. He was highly respected, well liked, and fun and interesting to be around.”
“A legend.”
“One of the good guys. One of the great cops.”
“A true crime fighter that could show how to be a police officer and all the roles that we all had to do in our careers.”
“I remember his bold laughter and treated everyone with respect. He is truly one of the good guys.”
“Learned the art of not just doing good investigation but to keep digging to get more! I considered him a legend at his game and a great cop.”
After retiring from police work, Dennis lived his dream and moved to the Appalachian Mountains near Benton, Tennessee. True to his adventurous and ruggedly minimalist nature, Dennis rented the loft of a barn, like a scene right out of Roadhouse, while he built his cabin in the hills. After finishing his house he started a new life riding through the mountains on his motorcycle, hunting deer, growing produce, making homemade pasta, and caring for bees that provided some good ‘ole mountain honey branded as 3 Bs (Bell’s Benton Bees). D.B., The Beekeeper, joined the local bee club and actively participated in furthering the education of local youth on the importance of bees in our world’s cycle of life. He spent his final years enjoying a good cigar, sipping great Bourbon, and rooting for local high school wrestlers at nearby tournaments.
His prolific following words will live with and guide us forever: “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Dennis is survived by his three children: Jason Bell (LtCol, USMC Ret.), Lauren Bell (Registered Nurse), and Dr. Jordan Bell (PhD); and three grandchildren: Connor, Corey, and Mariah.
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