Roll of Honor
Thomas W. Bourne
Incident
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.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-4A8F49F8- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Bourne gave the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Prentiss community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bourne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas W. Bourne 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. Thomas W. Bourne's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas W. Bourne Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas W. Bourne is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas W. Bourne 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.
