In the early morning hours of January 5, 2020, a routine traffic stop on a quiet road on the property of the Florence Regional Airport in South Carolina turned deadly, ending the life of a young police officer. Jackson Ryan Winkeler, a 26-year-old male officer with the Florence Airport Public Safety Department, was fatally shot during the encounter.
The man behind the wheel, James Edward Bell, then 37, allegedly opened fire on Officer Winkeler, tragically cutting his life short.
Responding officers discovered a grim scene. Winkeler was found deceased outside his vehicle, and more than 30 spent shell casings littered the area, evidence of the violent exchange. An empty 9mm handgun was also recovered at the scene. In the aftermath of the shooting, Winkeler's service weapon was missing. Bell fled the scene but was apprehended by Florence County deputies a short time later near Highway 52. A search of Bell's vehicle produced Officer Winkeler's missing firearm.
Following his capture, James Edward Bell was charged with murder, discharging a firearm into a vehicle, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. In May 2023, the Twelfth Circuit Solicitor's Office filed a Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty against Bell. While in custody awaiting trial for the murder of Officer Winkeler, Bell faced further legal trouble, being charged with first-degree assault and battery for a violent attack on another inmate.
The death of Jackson Ryan Winkeler, who had been with the airport's public safety department for five months and also served as a volunteer firefighter, was a profound loss for the community. He was remembered for his contagious laughter and infectious personality, a man who brought joy to his colleagues and dedicated his life to helping others.
