Jackson Officer’s Murder Shocks Community as Police Arrest Suspect in Deadly Home Shooting

Jackson, Mississippi — A quiet neighborhood in Jackson turned into the center of a devastating tragedy on November 2, 2025, when James Dotson Jr., a respected sergeant with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, was found fatally shot inside his own home on the 1700 block of Dorgan Street. Investigators believe someone entered Dotson’s residence, shot him multiple times, and then fled the scene in his gray 2020 Dodge Challenger, leaving behind heartbreak and unanswered questions.

Dotson, who was off duty at the time of the attack, was in the safety of his home — his personal space — when violence found him. The early evidence gathered by the Jackson Police Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation suggests the killer did not merely strike and escape; instead, they took deliberate steps to cover their tracks by stealing the victim’s car, which became a key piece of evidence in the days that followed.

For several tense days, detectives searched for leads. Two days after the killing, Dotson’s stolen Challenger was discovered abandoned in a parking lot at an apartment complex in north Jackson. Law enforcement immediately secured the area and began a forensic sweep, meticulously examining the vehicle for fingerprints, DNA, or any trace evidence that could lead them to the perpetrator.

Their efforts quickly paid off. By Wednesday, November 5, those forensic clues pointed investigators toward Ladarien Tyrese Jones, a 26-year-old man believed to be connected to the shooting and theft. Acting on coordinated intelligence, multiple agencies — including the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, and U.S. Marshals Service — executed a tactical operation at a motel in Vicksburg, where Jones was arrested without incident.

Authorities later confirmed that Jones faces charges of murder and auto theft, though the motive remains unclear. Detectives are still working to determine whether Jones and Dotson knew each other before the shooting or if this was a random act of violence.

James Dotson Jr. had dedicated nearly a decade of service to the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, working within the corrections division where he was known for his professionalism, fairness, and calm demeanor. Colleagues described him as a dependable officer who treated everyone — staff and inmates alike — with respect. He was also remembered as a devoted family man who brought compassion to a difficult profession that often demands emotional toughness.

The news of his passing spread quickly among law enforcement and throughout Jackson. Sheriff Tyree Jones (no relation to the suspect) released a statement expressing the department’s collective grief:

“Sergeant Dotson was one of our own — a valued team member and a friend. His loss is deeply felt throughout the entire Hinds County Sheriff’s Office. We are thankful for the quick work of our investigators and partner agencies in bringing a suspect into custody, but our hearts remain heavy.”

Neighbors on Dorgan Street told local reporters that the night of November 2 had seemed calm until police cars and ambulances swarmed the area. “He was a quiet, respectful man,” said one neighbor. “He worked hard, and everyone around here knew he served the community.”

While justice may be on the horizon, grief continues to ripple through Jackson’s law enforcement community. A memorial is being planned to honor Sergeant James Dotson Jr., celebrating his years of dedication and his commitment to making Hinds County safer.

As the investigation moves forward, detectives are asking anyone with additional information about the suspect’s movements or potential connections to the victim to come forward. For now, a city mourns a man who spent his career protecting others, only to have his own life taken in a senseless act of violence.

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