We have an EOW notice of an Army veteran police officer. Sergeant Mark Butler of the Navasota, Texas Police Department was killed in the line of duty stopping a fleeing felon. His watch ended on Wednesday shortly after 1500 hours.
The incident started in nearby College Station (with Navasota lying about halfway between College Station and Houston) when a woman tried to cash a fraudulent check. When cops tried to talk to her she sped off. College Station Police discontinued the pursuit when she started to drive at more than 100MPH. Texas DPS troopers said “Fuck that” and kept chasing. At some point, while on SH-6, she exited, but re-entered the highway going the wrong direction.
News sources merely note that she “collided” with the sergeant’s marked patrol car. I raise this to a VF post, because Sergeant Butler was travelling head-on with the suspect driver, and with several civilian vehicles just a few car lengths behind him, he intentionally collided with the suspect’s vehicle.
While Sgt Butler stopped the threat (no bystanders were injured), he did not survive. His friend and partner, who sent me the sad news, said that Butler had been in the Army. He was an MP (probably in the reserves or guard) during college, and was an intelligence officer (highest rank held is believed to be captain) after that. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
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Gave his life willingly to save others. The epitome of that whole “to protect and serve” thing.
Godspeed, Fare Well, and Rest Easy, Sgt Butler. May God’s Comfort bring your family and fellow LEOs some measure of His Peace.
Haven’t found anything about the other driver…yet.
The ONLY authorized Memorial Fund, FYI
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/memorial-fund-established-for-fallen-navasota-police-officer/ar-AA1xkx2b?ocid=BingNewsBrowse
Words from his Chief here…
https://www.msn.com/en-us/public-safety-and-emergencies/general/navasota-police-chief-michael-mize-honors-life-of-sgt-mark-butler/ar-AA1xlHOC?ocid=BingNewsBrowse
Candle Light Service with pictures of this Hero
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/navasota-community-honors-sgt-mark-butler-with-candlelight-vigil-heaven-s-got-a-good-one/ar-AA1xol5c?ocid=BingNewsBrowse
The other driver was DRT. More words of praise from witnesses that saw his sacrifice.
https://www.kbtx.com/2025/01/15/navasota-police-officer-killed-head-on-collision-with-wrong-way-driver/
One more testimony
https://www.kbtx.com/2025/01/16/bryan-family-credits-heroic-sacrifice-navasota-officer-saving-lives-highway-6/
Thanks for the post.
Rest well, Mark Butler.
Your state and our country owe you for your sacrifice.
It has hit the community hard.
One of our former Explorers is a fellow office for Navasota. “Devastated” is the proper adjective.
One of two LEOs killed on the same day. The other serving a warrant in SW Houston on a known dangerous felon who later died in a shootout with police:
https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/brazoria-county-deputy-jesus-vargas-death/285-b2d09935-bd8e-4ce4-baaf-510f848e0244
I have not heard that he was a military veteran, but a hero nonetheless.
The miscreant involved also shot (twice) a Marshall Service K9 Malinois twice. K9 Rocky is expected to survive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCbxivhO2hU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFA6M0TWpfY
RIP, Soldier. I hope that bitch gets thrown under the prison.
She died as well.
Her sentence has been pronounced by the Judge of All.
Rest Well
Heartbreaking.
For LEOs every day is a mission outside the wire.
That’s why we cannot tolerate criminals. I guarantee you that was not the first time that woman did something illegal.
Every criminal we let walk will continue to escalate the level of crimes until something like this happens. Zero tolerance for breaking the law.