Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Keeper Frank Butcher was shot and killed by an inmate who was attempting to escape from the Trenton State Prison (now known as New Jersey State Prison). The inmate attacked an officer with a blackjack, knocking him unconscious and stealing his gun. When Deputy Butcher and other officers approached the suspect, shots were exchanged, and Deputy Butcher was killed. The suspect fled into a cell, where he killed himself before he could be apprehended. The suspect had been serving a life sentence for the murder of Patrolman Bernard Murray, of the Hoboken Police Department, on October 2, 1918. Deputy Butcher had served with the agency for nearly five years and was a veteran of the WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children, the youngest born just months after Deputy Butcher's death.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-F76EA597- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Keeper Butcher gave the New Jersey Department of Corrections 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Frank Butcher served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Keeper Frank Butcher 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Jersey Department of Corrections, 16 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Butcher's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Butcher Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Butcher is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Butcher was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from New Jersey Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
