Evening star., 1953-01-02

the Bell home as the policeman
talked with Mrs. Bell.
Pvt. King, oft-commended 14th
Precinct policeman, was slain in q
second floor bedroom of the Bell
home in the 4600 block Of B street
Sc. where the three had gone to
"talk over" the policeman's atten-
tions to Mrs. Bell.
Mrs. Bell. 20, waving her consti-
tutional rights: was to take the
witness stand this afternoon.
Waited for Policeman.
Sergt. Dyas quoted the hacker
as saying he waited in front of
the station until Pvt. King went
of duty at pm. yesterday and
asked him to go to his home "to
talk things over" with Mrs. Bell.
He told the sergeant he offered
the policeman a drink or a can
of beer. Pvt. King declined and
went upstairs to talk with Mrs.
Bell. Bell took a can of beer and
joined them in the bedroom. AS
he walked in, he told Sergt. Dyas,
the two were talking and Bell
said "Don't mind me. You haven't
minded me so far" They resumed
talking and Bell pulled a revolver
from his pocket.
He said he didn't remember
the actual shooting, but remem-
bered pulling the gun"
Pvt. King, in uniform, fell in
the hallway. His gun-holSter, the
weapon in it, was found under
him with the flap buttoned.
When found in the hall Of the
B street address by Pvt. Thomas
E. Dragositz of No. IA, Pvt. King
had been shot in the chest, arm,
neck and in one eye.
Police Notified of Shooting.
The homicide squad said Pvt.
DragoSitz arrived. in response to-
a telephone call from a person.
who said: II just shot one Of |
your policemen"
Pvt. G. c. Bromley Of the dis
patcher's Office said the man whoI
called gave his name as Bell and
also the B street address.
The homicide squad said Bell
called out to Pvt. Dragositz, when
the latter approached: II am the
man you are looking for"
Bell had a .32-caliber revolverl
In his hand when arrested, and
five shots had been fired from
It. according to investigating Of
1cers. Bell. police said. told them
he often carried considerable cash
with him and therefore kept the
gun on his person.
Police said they were told Bell
and his wife had frequent argu-
ments over the wife's association
with Pvt. King.
1t. Charles L. Langley Of No.
IA said he had been told that
Bell and his wife had argued over
the matter only q week ago.
When he learned Of the friend
ship, Bell threatened to shoot
Pvt. King, police said they were
told.
Mrs. Bell is q waitress in |
o restaurant in the 44OO block
of Benning road NE. Police said
they were told by patrons that
Pvt. King often came in to talk
to her. His beat was in the area.
Outstanding Officer.
1t. Joseph Proctor of No. IA
precinct said Pvt King twas an
outstanding officer
A native of Washington, Pvt.
King had been on the force since |
May, 1948. In November of that
year he captured a holdup man,
who was wanted in Prince Georges
County, Md. He arrested a hit
and-run driver in June, 1949. and
was commended for this work. In
July of that year he checked a |
description and picked up q sto-
len car.
The next year he picked up an
Dther hit-and-run driver who
turned out to be wanted for lar
eelly of Government checks. AL
year ago last May he arrested twol
men suspected of housebreaking.
He rescued a 9-year-old boy from
D creek in June Of this year. For
his service in last years Capital
Transit strike, he was one Of the
precinct men who was awarded |
mass commendation, precinct ON
ters said.
N~Prt. King and his wife Mary
lived at $50 Forty nth street NE.
They had no children.