Texas police officer, Army veteran killed in the line of duty saving others | Law Enforcement Today

NAVASOTA, TX - On Wednesday, January 15th, a Texas police sergeant and Army veteran was killed in the line of duty while saving the lives of others. Fox News reported Navasota Police Sergeant Mark Butler is being hailed a hero after being killed in a head-on collision during a pursuit of a suspect who was wanted for attempting to cash a fake check.

The incident began just after 3:00 p.m. when the College Station Police Department (CSPD) responded to a forgery in progress at Prosperity Bank. Officers responded and attempted to make contact with the female suspect, who was attempting to cash a fraudulent check. However, she fled in a black Jeep Wrangler when approached.

The suspect was reported to be traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 6 in Navasota, about 24 miles outside of College Station. Troopers were dispatched to the area in an attempt to stop the suspect. At 3:30 p.m., officials said Butler, who was traveling north, maneuvered his marked patrol vehicle and collided with the suspect, preventing her from hitting other motorists on the highway.

Butler was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died from the injuries sustained from the collision. The wrong-way driver, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the crash site. A Bryan, Texas, family praised Butler for his heroism and credited him with saving the lives of other drivers. Reflecting on the moments before the horrific crash, Jonathan Crider said, "I don't believe we would have made it out if it wasn't for the officer. He selflessly gave himself up so nobody else would perish."

Crider said he and his coworkers were returning to Bryan from a landscaping job in Cypress when they saw a black Jeep Wrangler speeding toward them. At the last moment, Crider said, Butler maneuvered his patrol vehicle into the Jeep's path, preventing the oncoming car from hitting Crider's truck and other vehicles around them.

He said, "We changed lanes five seconds before the impact. He didn't swerve or brake. He sacrificed himself to save everyone behind us. I truly owe my life to him." The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be leading the investigation into the crash, while CSPD will assist with the investigation into the forgery incident.

In a post on social media, CSPD wrote, "Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sergeant Butler's family, colleagues, and the entire Navasota community during this incredibly difficult time." Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick called the death of Butler "a heartbreaking reminder of the danger our law enforcement officers face every time they leave home for work." Law Enforcement Today reported on Brazoria County Sheriff's Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Wednesday, January 15th. 

Patrick wrote on X, "We lost two officers today in the line of duty. Texas law enforcement officers who make the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities live on in our hearts forever. Please pray tonight for both of these heroes' families. They have suffered such great loss."

Republican Texas State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst shared her condolences on Facebook saying, "Our hearts are broken tonight and I join the entire Navasota community in extending deepest sympathy to the family of Navasota Sgt. Mark Butler. Sgt. Butler tragically died in the line of duty late this afternoon when a woman evading arrest drove head-on into his patrol car during a police pursuit. Please keep Sgt. Butler's family, friends, and the Navasota Police Department in your prayers during this time. He died in the line of duty, protecting and serving the public and he will never be forgotten."

Butler was a U.S Army veteran and served with the Navasota Police Department for almost four years.