James W. Bell became Sheriff of Grundy County from 1950 to 1954. He was a member of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and a charter member of the Morris Boat Club.
Bell served the City of Morris and Grundy County in many capacities. He served on the City of Morris Police Department, as a Grundy County Deputy Sheriff, 5 years as Sheriff of Grundy County, as a member of the Morris Fire Department, and as a State of Illinois special duty Game Warden.
With his wife he moved into the old Grundy County Jail where he served the residents of Grundy County as jailer, deputy and chief deputy under sheriffs Earl Munion, John Enrietta, John E. G. Olson, and Dick Pierce. James was also employed with the city of Morris as superintendent of streets, retiring in 1970.
James W. Bell died January 3, 1988, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.