Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch: Sunday, November 3, 1929
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 2, 1929
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Edward Butler succumbed to a gunshot wound received the previous day when he and two other detectives responded to a report on Quincy Avenue from a woman who was scared her husband would kill her for leaving him.
When they arrived at the location, they observed the man leaning against a post. Once they began to search him, he produced a revolver and pushed the officers aside, and tried to run into a shop. Detective Butler chased the man into the shop, exchanged shots, and was struck. One of the other detectives shot and killed the suspect. Detective Butler was taken to a local hospital, where he died the next day after surgery. The suspect was wanted at the time for murdering his previous wife and girlfriend.
Detective Butler had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for five years and previously served with the City of Shaker Heights for four years. He was survived by his wife and 20-month-old daughter.