James "Jamie" M. Malugen

James “Jamie” M. Malugen, 54, of Jackson, passed away Friday, December 12, 2025.

He was born August 27, 1971, in Potosi, Missouri, to James and Carolyn (Ferrell) Malugen.

Jamie was a 1990 graduate of Potosi High School and subsequently graduated from the Mineral Area Law Enforcement Academy in 1996. His interest in public service protection began at an early age, in Potosi, where he became a Junior Fireman at the age of 16, and served a six-year term on the fire board.

His career started in 1993, serving as a police officer in Leadwood Police Department; Potosi Police Department, serving as the D.A.R.E. Officer; Washington County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department, serving as the Domestic Violence and D.A.R.E. Officer; Sikeston DPS Officer; then Jackson, Missouri, where he served as a Detective Sergeant many years in Investigations with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Department. His communication skills lead him to service in the areas of hostage negotiation and service on the Major Case Squad. His awards include the 2007 Copeland Excellence Award; 2013 Timothy J. Ruopp Award; 2018 Evening Optimist Club Respect for Law Award; and the 2018 SEMO Spirit of CIT Award.

While working in Sikeston, Missouri, he met Crystal Rider. They were married June 8, 2002, and two sons were born to their union, Tyler and Toby.

Jamie loved to play golf and especially enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball and football teams, including Tribe Baseball in Jackson. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Crimson Tide and avidly followed St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

The Malugen’s are longtime members of Connection Point Church in Jackson.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife of 23 years, Crystal Malugen, and sons, Tyler and Toby Malugen, all of Jackson; a brother, Mark (Jennifer) Malugen of Rogers, Arkansas and their children Tessa, Mark “Moe”, Morgan, and Cole; and many beloved uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Crystal’s surviving family includes her parents, Earnie and Joyce Rider of Dongola, Illinois; siblings, Denna (Perry) Williams and daughter Molly; and Rhonda (John) Schmidt; and sons Aaron, Jared, and Daniel.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Connection Point Church in Jackson. Visitation is from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 18, 2025, and from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, December 19. The Rev. Chris Vaught will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m., Friday. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Arrangements entrusted to McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests The BackStoppers, Inc., P. O. Box 795168, St. Louis, Missouri 63179 (www.BackStoppers.org/donate).

Online condolences may be sent to the family by scrolling to the guestbook beneath Jamie’s obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.