Tecumseh Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Monday, April 18, 1932
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 18, 1932
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1942
Chief Butler was shot and killed while on foot patrol at approximately 0130 hours. He was walking behind the Tecumseh Post Office when he was ambushed by a man underneath a porch. Although he had been shot two times, Chief Butler was able to return fire and empty his revolver, but none of the shots took effect. Chief Butler was taken to a doctor's office where he died approximately eight hours later. Before he died he was able to identify the suspect.
The suspect and an accomplice were apprehended the next day. Both were convicted of Chief Butler's murder and sentenced to life. The shooter was paroled in December of 1942. On May 20, 1943, he was arrested in Borger, Texas, for burglary of the Borger post office. The other suspect was paroled December 15, 1936.