Birth date: Feb 23, 1950 Death date: Feb 13, 2018
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 Read Obituary
My thoughts and prayers are with Dawnell and the family. May God comfort you and give you peace.
Randy Ostendorf
I first met Tom in the early 1970's during my introduction to law enforcement work. He was ahead of his time in his view of what a law enforcement officer should be. Politeness, humility and professionalism was his cornerstone. It remained so his entire life. Tom treated all with respect including the bad guys. He was not only loyal to his oath but also to his friends. He helped many of us with no expectation of anything in return. It was just his way. A decent and honest man who was a credit to his profession and his community.
May this candle shine forever and give peace to Dawnell and the entire Buell famiļy. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Chief Buell was a special person to me. When I was working out of state and so desperately wanting to return home he sent word to me by a mutual friend to call him at his home or office. I called him that very evening and he immediately offered me a job, which I gladly excepted.
I knew Chief Buell for many years before he became my boss and always held the the utmost respect for him. Not only was he an honest and fair man, who took pride in his department and the hardworking employees, but he was also a person who strived and succeeded in making a Department that exhibited professionalism, honesty and integrity, which did not go unnoticed by the citizens of Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish or deputies as well as police officers of other agencies through out law enforcement communities.
Chief Buell was a special kind of boss, who was willing to listen to new ideas and / or suggestions, even excepting some and implementing them into the departments daily activities. He always ran a taut ship, requiring his officer / employees to look and act as professionals no matter what the call to service was, but he was always fair and would be the first one to stand up for you when it was needed.
I reluctantly left Chief Buell to pursue employment elsewhere, eventually landing my dream job for which I’m still employed. I still to this day will and forever address him as Chief, no matter his request after his retirement to just call him Tom. He not only was a great boss, he was my friend and was there if ever I needed him no matter what. When I resigned, I just didn’t leave a Department, I left a family, a family who Chief Buell gave me the opportunity to become part of and I will always consider each and every one of them as “My Family”.
I will truly miss him, but I will never forget him, for he was a man that stood like a giant, but as gentle as a lamb. I learned so much from him, not only in respect to law enforcement, but how to be a better person, how to lead by example and how to treat others with respect and dignity.
I regret not visiting him prior to his passing, but in my mind I will always remember him as the man he was, a true and loyal friend and one of the best bosses I’d ever had the pleasure of working for!!!
God speed Chief and I want you to know you will truly be missed, not only by me, but by more people than you could ever imagine!!!
Dawnell, I’m sorry for your loss, and if you should ever need anything from me or my department, please do not hesitate to call…
With deepest regards,
Sergeant Darryl Galloway
Sergeant Darryl Galloway
Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries,
Division of Law Enforcement
Tom was a wonderful man and a good friend to all. He will certainly be missed!
Very sorry for your loss Dawnell
Tom was a son of Mandeville that everyone related to, worked with, knew for years. His accomplishments as a Police Chief were remarkable and earned, not to mention acting as a big brother member of the community. My father was very proud to have Tom as his Police Chief. He will missed.
