After 37 years in the NYPD, a longtime motorcycle officer is ending a career that put him at the front of high-profile escorts for four U.S. presidents and Pope John Paul II during visits to New York City.
Lt. Joseph Bell, who led the department’s Highway District 5, officially retired Wednesday with the NYPD’s traditional walkout ceremony. But even on his way into retirement, he found time for one last arrest — helping nab an alleged burglar near his home.
“The day before my walkout, my neighbor called and said somebody had broken into a house on our block,” Bell told The Post. “I told him to call 911, and when I got there we saw the guy trying to get away — and we grabbed him.”
For Bell, it was a remarkably on-brand finale to a decorated run with New York’s Finest.
Bell began his NYPD career in 1989 and steadily climbed through the ranks, moving through multiple assignments before becoming a sergeant in 1996 and a lieutenant in 2000. He later took command of the department’s elite highway unit.
“I always admired the unit,” Bell said. “I had a cousin who was in highway patrol when I was in the police academy, so I had an inside look at what the unit was about. I respected the professionalism and the work they did — escorting the president of the United States, line-of-duty funerals and riding motorcycles.
“I’ve always been a motorcycle guy,” he said. “I’ve had a motorcycle since I was 8 years old. If the NYPD was going to pay me to ride a Harley-Davidson, I guess that’s a dream job. It’s not really work.”
Over the years, Bell’s assignments included escort details for Presidents Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Barack Obama and George W. Bush. He also helped escort Pope John Paul II during the pontiff’s 1995 visit to the five boroughs.
The retired cop called being part of a presidential motorcade “probably the highest honor.”
Bell is also proud of his track record at the NYPD, including a run of three years without a fatal collision during his tenure at the 122nd Precinct on Staten Island, which also saw him crack down on traffic crimes.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella presented him with a proclamation of appreciation.
Bell said the hardest part of retiring is his fellow cops on the force and the camaraderie he has with them.
But he’s got plenty of plans to keep him busy — the car enthusiast hopes to restore a vintage 1962 Corvette, a project he said he’s been putting off, and also plans to travel.
“There was never one day that I was on my way to work and said I didn’t want to be there,” Bell said. “I always looked forward to going. It was awesome. It was a great ride.”
