Roll of Honor
Incident
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, 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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 20-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-1678FE2F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Edward. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Butler gave the Cleveland Division of Police 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Butler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Edward Butler is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Butler's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Butler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Butler is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Butler was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
