Detective James David Mandrell

Detective James David Mandrell | Sumner County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
Sumner County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
Detective James David Mandrell

Sumner County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

End of Watch Tuesday, June 28, 1988

Add to My Heroes

James David Mandrell

Detective J. David Mandrell was shot and killed in an ambush while working undercover on a cattle rustling case near Olinda.

He and an informant had entered a barn in Robertson County, 500 feet south of the Kentucky border, in an attempt to purchase 15 heads of cattle as part of the ongoing investigation. As he entered a barn he was shot in the back by a 16-year-old boy who was hiding in a stable approximately 10 feet away. After falling to the ground the suspect walked up to him and shot him again in the face with a 30-06 rifle.

The juvenile's older brother then fatally shot the informant as the man fled into an adjacent cornfield. Both brothers then stole the cash that Detective Mandrell had brought to purchase the stolen cattle.

The boy and his older brother were both arrested and charged with two counts of murder. The older brother was convicted and sentenced to two life terms in prison.

Detective Mandrell had served with the Sumner County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, three sisters, and one brother.

Bio

  • Age 44
  • Tour 12 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Rifle; .30-.06
  • Offender Sentenced to life

ambush, livestock enforcement, robbery, undercover

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 19 Reflections

Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

June 28, 2025

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.

Recent LODD Deaths