DATE: Sunday, July 27, 1997                 TAG: 9707250216

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Close-Up 

                                            LENGTH:   65 lines

JOHN L. BELL: SOON TO BECOME A POLICE CAPTAIN

John L. Bell, laid off from a job in New York City, arrived in Virginia Beach 22 years ago in a beat up Rambler, anxious to start life anew. He didn't waste any time.

Now, the man who once patrolled the steamy caverns of the New York City subway system is on the verge of becoming a police captain in Virginia Beach. Bell, for years a street cop before he moved up through the ranks to wear bars on his shoulders, looks out on a city that has changed dramatically.

``When I arrived, this place was rural compared to New York,'' he said. ``I've seen it develop a lot, probably more than I would have liked, but when you have a city like this one, with so much to offer, you're bound to have people move here. It comes with being a popular city.''

Full name: John L. Bell Jr.

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

What brought you to the Beach? The good Lord! In 1975 I was laid off by the New York Transit Police Department. I applied for a job as a Virginia Beach police officer and was hired along with several other ``Yankees.''

Birthdate: March 4, 1952.

Occupation: Lieutenant, Beach police. On July 31, I will be promoted to the rank of captain and assume command of the 1st Police Precinct.

Nickname: ``Lenny.''

Marital status: Married to Sharon for 22 years.

Children: John III, 16, Justin, 15. (The lights of my life.)

What is your idea of a perfect day off? Sleeping in. (Doesn't happen too often.) And spending the afternoon fishing with my father or my sons.

Last smart thing you did: Turned my problems over to my Lord and started sleeping a lot better at night.

Last dumb thing you did: I put a wind deflector on the hood of my truck and then forgot to close the hood. I went for a drive. Who says real men don't cry?

Favorite meal: Spare ribs, sweet potatoes, collard greens. (What can I say? My parents are Southern.)

Favorite movies: ``Independence Day,'' ``Con Air,'' ``Get Shorty.''

Favorite song: ``Forever'' by Phil Perry.

Last book read: ``The Road Less Traveled and Beyond,'' by M. Scott Peck.

Hobbies: Fishing, gardening, and listening to smooth jazz.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Learn to accept the things I have no control over and move on.

If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? I take the fifth. Just kidding. She's one of a kind.

Secret vice: I'm a chocolate junkie.

Favorite restaurant: Who needs a restaurant when mom's home cooking is right next door?

Your favorite night on the town: Going out for a few beers with close friends, listening to some good music and ``trying'' to play pool.

Favorite TV shows: ``Homicide,'' ``Discovery.''

Favorite sport: Basketball.

Last vacation: While my younger son was at basketball camp in Richmond, my older son and I spent a couple of days in Nags Head fishing.

Pets: Prince, a 120-pound Rottweiler who needs to learn to fix my bed after sleeping in it.

Of what achievements are you most proud? My promotion to police captain, having two great kids, making time to go back to school, getting my degree in criminal justice after 20 years.

What would you like as your epitaph? He finally made time for himself. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

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