James Mitchell Prince was 36 and serving as a part-time officer with the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department when he was killed during a traffic stop on N.C. 87 in the early hours of January 18, 2005. At about 1:00 am he encountered a 19-year-old wanted for a probation violation; a struggle during the arrest allowed the suspect to take Officer Prince’s service weapon and shoot him three times. A Southport officer arriving as backup found Officer Prince shortly afterward.

The suspect, identified as Darrell Wayne Maness, fled and later exchanged gunfire with officers from the Caswell Beach and Oak Island departments before being found hiding under a mobile home and taken into custody after tear gas was used. A grand jury convening that day returned an indictment on murder and other felonies within hours.

Officer Prince had six years of prior law enforcement experience with several local agencies. He is survived by his wife, two young children, and his parents, and was remembered for organizing father and son fishing trips and his love of cooking. Does anyone have memories of Officer Prince or information about that night to share?