Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Benjamin Butts was shot and killed by one of two men he and his partner had arrested after investigating the sound of shots in a dark alley on Mount Vernon Lane near Church Street (general area of modern-day Henry Street and Church Street). The suspect suddenly bolted from the officers, produced a pistol, and shot Sergeant Butts. He was apprehended several hours later. Sergeant Butts had served with the Norfolk Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-8347C04E- 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.
Sergeant Butts gave the Norfolk Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Butts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Benjamin Harrington Butts 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Norfolk Police Dept., 20 of 39 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin Harrington Butts's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Harrington Butts Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Harrington Butts is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Harrington Butts was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Norfolk Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
