Police Officer James Mitchell Prince

Police Officer James Mitchell Prince

Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch Tuesday, January 18, 2005

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James Mitchell Prince

Police Officer Mitch Prince was shot and killed with his own service weapon after making a traffic stop on N.C. 87 at approximately 1:00 am.

During the stop, Officer Prince learned that the suspect, 19, was wanted on a probation violation in a neighboring county.

As Officer Prince attempted to arrest the suspect, a struggle ensued. The suspect gained control of the officer's service weapon and shot him three times. Officer Prince was found a short time later by a Southport Police Department officer who had responded to the scene as backup. The suspect later shot at Caswell Beach Police Department and Oak Island Police Department officers who spotted his vehicle. The man was arrested a short time later, hiding under a mobile home.

Coincidentally, the county's grand jury was meeting on the day that Officer Prince was murdered. The grand jury indicted the suspect on murder and ten other felonies within 13 hours of Officer Prince's murder. The suspect was convicted of capital murder and subsequently sentenced to death.

Officer Prince served as a part-time officer for the 8-person department. He had previously served with the Yaupon Beach Police Department, Oak Island Police Department, and Shallotte Police Department for a total of six years. He is survived by his wife, two small children, and parents.

Bio

  • Age 36
  • Tour 6 years
  • Badge 1180

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Sentenced to death

traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

View all 347 Reflections

My dear sweet boy

Today is your 55th Birthday. Your Dad and I spoke of your this morning and how much you are missed. I find myself every day thinking of you and missing you so much. Oh how I wish we had, had more time together. But wonderful news, we will oneday. we are now back in Fayetteville, NC, where I said I would never come. The Lord had other plans. Your Dad was diagnoised with 3 types of cancer. We probably would have never known had we not come to Fayetteville. Well guess what, God took care of all three. We have been blessed so much and your prayers he listened to. Our God is so wonderful. This world is really messed up. So much I want to tell you but most of all we want you to know you will never be forgotten. Oh yes , Mitch your grand child is Miss Arianna Faith Prince, she is the image of Kyle. She is beautiful. We kept her as a baby and we have had her for two weeks this month. She goes to Highest Praise Christian Academy. She is 7 yrs old and BEAUTIFUL. She is a PAPAS girl and would have been yours to. Say hello to your brother and always know we love you both very much.

Happy Birthday and just know we will see you when God calls us home.
All of our love to you and Larry Wayne.

Larry and Daphine
Mom and Dad

July 21, 2023

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