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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Butler was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a domestic violence call at approximately 8:25 pm.
He was responding to the call with his emergency equipment activated when a tractor trailer crossed the center line as it attempted to turn right onto Cat Creek Road from Norman Hall Road. Deputy Butler was unable to avoid a collision and struck the trailer portion of the truck. The driver of the tractor trailer pulled Deputy Butler from the burning patrol car.
He was transported to South Georgia Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
He is survived by his wife, twin daughters, mother and sister.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, twin daughters, mother and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Butler served with the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Valdosta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Butler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 2 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 45th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 2017, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2017, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 39. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 12.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lowndes County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
