Thomas Buell

Thomas Buell passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at the age of 67. Beloved husband of Dawnell LeBlanc Buell. Loving father of Elise Guidry and Kasey Buell. Loving Stepfather of Nicole Self, Ashley Ryden, Patrick Uloth, Tammy Stiebing, and Tiffany Wall. Son of the late Verna Lusk Buell and David Newcomb Buell. Brother of Duncan Buell and Connie Buell Hinton. Grandfather of Barrett Stickland, Odin Strickland, Nova Strickland, Owen Argueta, Emma Grace Argueta, Drake Guidry, Savannah Guidry, Alexis Guidry, Lanie Guidry, Catherine Welch, Sarah Calamia, Sydney Aiavolasiti, Georgiana Aiavolasiti, George Aiavolasiti, Scott Barrilleaux, Jr., Logan Barrilleaux, Kaid Ryden, Katherine Ryden, Connor Uloth, Carmella Uloth, Haley Stiebing, Grant Stiebing, Lanie Stiebing, Hannah Fersch, Rachel Fersch, and Lydia Wall. Great-grandfather of Caroline Milliken. Tom graduated from Mandeville High School in ’68, earned a certificate from LSU’s Traffic Management Institute in 1977 and received his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1984. He joined the Mandeville Police Department in 1971 as a Patrol Officer, and was first appointed Chief of Police in 1974 at age 24, the youngest Police Chief in Louisiana at the time. Two years into the job, Buell left for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office where he served as an Investigator and Patrol Sergeant, but returned in 1980 when Mayor Ray Foil reappointed him Chief. In the next 28 years, Mandeville residents enjoyed low crime rates and quick response times as the Police Department grew to 54 employees and added modern technology to its arsenal. Buell pioneered the use of school resource officers in the parish, also adding DARE drug prevention programs. While new subdivisions populated by commuter families sprouted within city limits, Buell adhered to his small-town policing style. Alongside his officers, he worked around the clock to get the city running again after Hurricane Katrina. He continued as Chief of Police, serving under Mayors Foil, Cordes, Spitzfaden and Price until his retirement in 2009. As Chief of the Mandeville Police Department his long-sought goal was to provide employees with a workplace that allowed them to serve their full careers in Mandeville. Tom also served on St. Tammany Parish Communications District #1, as a member and 10 years as Chairman. He served 10 years as a member of the Parish Flood Mitigation Board, multiple terms as member of the Board of the Municipal Police Retirement System, and most recently as Chair of the St. Tammany Emergency Planning Committee. He was a member of the Louisiana Chiefs of Police and International Chiefs of Police. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Church of the King, 22205 Little Creek Road, Mandeville, LA 70471 on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM with visitation at church on Saturday beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Mr. Buell to be made to The Greater Mandeville Police Foundation .

Thomas Buell

February 23, 1950 - February 13, 2018