Chief George G. Bell, Jr.

Cambridge-Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief George G. Bell, Jr., 64, of Cambridge, passed away suddenly Sunday night, March 11, 2018.

George was born on January 20, 1954 in Cambridge and was the son of the late George G. Bell, Sr. and Anna Baratto Bell.  George graduated from Cambridge Central School and following graduation, he became the owner of George’s Exxon Gas Station in Cambridge.

Chief Bell began his career in law enforcement in 1978 with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department where he was a jail guard at the Washington County Jail in Salem. He was then appointed as Deputy and rose to the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant.  Chief Bell was the K-9 handler with the Sheriff’s Department for 13 years, his partner being “Deputy Shane”.  He also started the Explorer Post with the department.  Chief Bell was also a part-time police officer with the Village of Cambridge and in 1998, he transferred permanently to Cambridge as Sergeant and was appointed Police Chief in 2000.  George also oversaw the Greenwich Police Department and services were shared between the two communities.  Chief Bell started police presence at both the Cambridge and Greenwich Schools and was known to work closely with area police agencies.

Chief Bell was a life member of the Cambridge Vol. Fire Dept. and a life member of the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad.  He loved to watch NASCAR racing and spending time with his grandchildren.  His true passion was committed to his work in law enforcement.

Chief Bell is survived by his wife, Karen Johnson Bell; sons, Daniel (Lisa) Wardwell of Cambridge and Benjamin (Tracey) Wardwell of Greenwich; a sister, Ellen Marie (Craig) Larson of Niles, MI; grandchildren, DeAnna Wardwell, Carrissa Wardwell, Garrett Wardwell, Jacob Wardwell and Ciara Wardwell; a nephew, Eric (Janet) Larson of  Mishawaka, IN.

Relatives, Friends, Law Enforcement, EMS and First Responders are invited to attend calling hours from 2-7 pm Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Cambridge United Presbyterian Church, 81 East Main St., Cambridge.

Departmental Honors will be at 11:00 am on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the church where funeral services will be held.

Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Cambridge.

Those who wish to remember Chief Bell in a special way may make memorial contributions to the Cambridge-Greenwich Police Department, 56 North Park St., Cambridge, NY  12816 or the Cambridge Vol. Fire Dept., P.O. Box 554, Cambridge, NY  12816 or Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, 37 Gilbert St., Cambridge, NY  12816.

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