Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi
End of Watch: Friday, February 21, 1997
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 21, 1997
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Bourne and Deputy Sheriff James Rutland were shot and killed by a prisoner they were transporting to the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Rankin County to begin a 40-year prison term after being convicted of manslaughter, aggravated assault, and escape.
The inmate had somehow concealed a handgun and shot them both in the head as they were on Route 13, south of Mendenhall. The patrol car did not have a cage. A female prisoner who was also being transported was not hurt.
The subject was convicted of capital murder for killing Deputy Bourne and Deputy Rutland and was subsequently sentenced to death.
Deputy Bourne had served with the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department for one year. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.