Roll of Honor
James P. Rutland
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Rutland and Deputy Sheriff Thomas Bourne 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 Rutland had served with the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department for two years and previously served with the Monticello Police Department and Pearl Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and stepchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-9EB27F77- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Rutland gave the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Prentiss community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rutland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James P. Rutland is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James P. Rutland's cause is highlighted.
How James P. Rutland Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. Rutland is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. Rutland was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
