James Bruce MacDonald

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that James Bruce MacDonald, passed away from lung cancer on Saturday, June 18, 2022. He passed away at home in Yuba City, California, surrounded by his wife of 50 years, Nadine May MacDonald and his daughter Nadine Marie MacDonald, under hospice care.

From 1965 to 1969, James MacDonald was a Navy hospital Corpsmen, a Pharmacy Technician and a Physical Therapist, who served with Marines during Vietnam. James MacDonald began his career with the Clark County Sheriff's Department on November 1, 1969 and continued as it merged with the city, to form the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. James MacDonald was hired on by Sheriff Ralph Lamb and was very proud to be a police officer. He worked as a uniform patrol officer in the department for one year, prior to attending the police academy (things ran differently back then). His proficiencies as a uniform patrol officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT and Special Investigations, to include Vice and Narcotics, were recognized numerous times by the District Attorney's Office, United States Probation Office, United States Department of Labor / Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigations for his report writing, case preparation, interview techniques, quality of work and investigations skills.

In February 1995, the Vice Investigations Squad was created. The members of this squad were considered to be among the best detectives, which included James MacDonald. James MacDonald was essential in drafting and proposing new laws and county ordinances against prostitution and proposed those laws to the County Commission and the Supreme Court. James MacDonald was requested by and assisted, the Clark County District Attorney's Office to draft new ordinances, making entertainment services a privileged license. James MacDonald fought for officer rights by proposing free HIV / AIDS testing of police officers who were bitten by prostitutes or exposed by on-the-job related injuries. James MacDonald trained VICE related topics to new recruits in the academy, at in-service training classes, at squad level training in sub-stations and in vice conferences. James MacDonald was essential in closing federal cases, conducting investigations against escort services and changing escort and entertainment laws. Prior to his retirement in December of 1998, James MacDonald and the Vice squad were successful in eliminating nearly all escort services in Clark County.

After retirement, James MacDonald and his wife moved to Northern California, where he volunteered with the Yuba City Police Department as a background investigator and retired again after 10 years as the Lead Security Officer for the Sutter County Courthouse. James MacDonald will be missed by all who knew him. He was able to connect with so many people during his lifetime and had a positive impact on everyone he met. He had a sense of humor, enjoyed painting in watercolors and loved animals.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated during this difficult time for the family.
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