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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Weymouth Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Patrick is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 3 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Patrick was 60. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Patrick had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Patrick was 60. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Patrick had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patrick was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Patrick had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 6% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Weymouth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 10.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Weymouth Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Patrick among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Weymouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
