MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Hudson, Warren

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIVES OF TOMMY BOURNE AND J. P. RUTLAND, TWO JEFFERSON DAVIS COUNTY DEPUTIES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY, FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PROTECTION OF THE CITIZENS OF THEIR COMMUNITY. 

WHEREAS, on Friday, February 21, 1997, the lives of Tommy Bourne and J. P. Rutland were violently cut short while transporting prisoners to the Rankin County Correctional Facility; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Bourne and J. P. Rutland were both dedicated lawmen who willingly put their lives on the line to protect the welfare of the people in their community; and

WHEREAS, the entire State of Mississippi was saddened and deeply moved by the loss of Tommy Bourne and J. P. Rutland and the families of these fallen officers of the law were given an enormous amount of support and prayers in their time of grief; and

WHEREAS, J. P. Rutland, who had been a Deputy Sheriff for Jefferson Davis County since January 1996, was a former Police Chief in Monticello, a Deputy Sheriff for Lawrence County, and a member of the Pearl, Mississippi, Police Force; and

WHEREAS, J. P. Rutland, was the son of Leslie Rutland and Alice Hedgepeth Rutland; and

WHEREAS, J. P. Rutland is survived by his wife, Linda McLeod Rutland of Prentiss; two sons, James C. Rutland and Darrell Rutland, both of Pearl; one daughter, Judy Gail Rutland of Pearl; one stepson, Brad Dunaway of Prentiss; his mother, Alice Rutland of Raymond; one brother, L. J. Rutland of Raymond; and he was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Rutland; a sister, Annette Speights, and a stepdaughter, Leslie Dunaway; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Bourne, who was a native of Franklin County, Mississippi, was the son of T. R. (Pat) Bourne and Louise Speights Bourne; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Bourne had been a Deputy Sheriff for Jefferson Davis County for six months before his life was so cruelly cut short; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Bourne, who was a 1974 graduate of Prentiss Christian School, attended Pearl River Community College, was an avid turkey hunter, a champion Turkey Caller for the State of Mississippi, founder and former President of the Miss/Lou Wild Turkey Foundation and had been a hunting guide for several years; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Bourne, whose dedicated participation in the lives of other members of his community will be greatly missed, was a girls softball coach; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Bourne was survived by his wife, Pam Hurst Bourne of Prentiss; one son, Pat Bourne of Prentiss; two daughters, Shields Bourne and Leigh Bourne, both of Prentiss; his mother, Louise Bourne of Prentiss; one brother, Jimmy Ray Bourne of Prentiss; and two sisters, Priscilla Arnold and Patty Jo May, both of Natchez:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the lives of Deputy Sheriffs Tommy Bourne and J. P. Rutland who lost their lives in the line of duty.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the families of Tommy Bourne and J. P. Rutland and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.