Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-E3A6F329- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Butler served with the Tecumseh Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tecumseh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Butler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Grover C. Butler is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Tecumseh Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Grover C. Butler's cause is highlighted.
How Grover C. Butler Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1942
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Grover C. Butler is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Grover C. Butler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tecumseh Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
