Police Officer Wayne "Butch" Nowell, Jr.

Police Officer Wayne "Butch" Nowell, Jr.

Meridian Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, December 29, 2021

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Wayne "Butch" Nowell, Jr.

Police Officer Butch Nowell died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Nowell had served with the Meridian Police Department for only 69 days and had previously served 24 years with the Johnson's County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife.


The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 65
  • Tour 24 years, 2 months
  • Badge 203

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Monday, December 20, 2021

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

View all 30 Reflections

Dear Dad,
There was many times throughout life I told you thank you, but it doesn't feel like enough. Thank you for adopting me at birth and trying with all your human power to love me for 34 years, i say that because no matter where you are i carry all of our memories and appreciate every one. I found that pic of you singing karaoke in your cutt off blue jeans shorts from like 1987 lol I told you I would find it and you looked like you were rocking it. Life has a way of showing you things and like i used to always tell u as a youngster.... there is no book to make a parent perfect, you were all I had and the boys and i miss you terribly. Mah'Licah wants to see your pictures more frequently and talks about being the Sherriff one day like his pawpaw. We love you dad/ Pawpaw

Samantha Nowell
His Youngest Daughter

April 12, 2023

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