Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Patrick Butler was struck by a motor vehicle as he attempted to stop a motorist who was driving without headlights in front of his home at 1027 Pleasant Street. As Chief Butler left his home en route to work at 9:30 pm he saw a vehicle approaching with its headlights off. He stepped into the middle of the street and signaled to the driver to stop. The driver, who was intoxicated, struck Chief Butler, the force of which threw him some distance. The car then ran over his body. Chief Butler was transported home by two of his children where he died of a fractured skull and broken back. The motorist was arrested and charged with manslaughter. The manslaughter charge was dropped but the motorist was found guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence and sentenced to one year in a house of correction. Chief Butler had served with the Weymouth Police Department for 35 years. He was survived by his wife, eleven children, three brothers, two of whom became chief of the agency and the third an officer. Two of his nephews also went on to serve with the agency, one of whom also became a chief.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, eleven children, three brothers, two of whom became chief of the agency and the third an officer.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-B7836B95- 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
35 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Butler gave the Weymouth Police Department 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Weymouth 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 Patrick A. 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Weymouth Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Patrick A. Butler's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick A. Butler Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick A. Butler is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick A. Butler was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Weymouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
