A Texas police sergeant and Military veteran killed within the line of responsibility is being hailed as a hero for stopping much more tragedy.
Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed in a head-on collision throughout a pursuit of a suspect needed for trying to money a faux test, in response to the Officer Down Memorial Web page, a website devoted to remembering regulation enforcement officers killed within the line of responsibility.
The ordeal started simply after 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, when the Faculty Station Police Division (CSPD) responded to a forgery in progress at Prosperity Financial institution.
Officers stated officers made contact with the feminine suspect, who was trying to money a fraudulent test and fled in a black Jeep Wrangler when approached.
Troopers have been dispatched with the suspect reported to be touring within the improper path on Freeway 6 in Navasota, 24 miles exterior Faculty Station.
At 3:30 p.m., officers stated Butler, who was touring north, maneuvered his marked patrol automobile and collided with the suspect, stopping her from hitting different motorists on the freeway.
Officers stated Butler was rushed to a close-by hospital, the place he died. The incorrect-way driver, whose id has not been launched, was pronounced useless on the crash website.
A Bryan, Texas, household spoke to KBTX and praised Butler for his heroism and credited him with saving the lives of different drivers.
“I don’t imagine we’d have made it out if it wasn’t for the officer,” Jonathan Crider informed KBTX of the harrowing moments earlier than the crash. “He selflessly gave himself up so no one else would perish.”
Crider informed KBTX he and his coworkers have been returning to Bryan from a landscaping job in Cypress after they noticed a black Jeep Wrangler rushing towards them. On the final second, Crider stated, Butler maneuvered his patrol automobile into the Jeep’s path, stopping the oncoming automobile from hitting Crider’s truck and different autos round him.
“We modified lanes 5 seconds earlier than the influence,” Crider stated. “He didn’t swerve or brake. He sacrificed himself to avoid wasting everybody behind us. I really owe my life to him.”
Officers stated the Texas Division of Public Security (DPS) is main the investigation into the crash, whereas the Faculty Station Police Division is aiding with the investigation into the forgery incident.
“Our ideas and condolences exit to Sergeant Butler’s household, colleagues, and the complete Navasota group throughout this extremely tough time,” the Faculty Station Police Division wrote in a publish on social media.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick known as the loss of life of Butler “a heartbreaking reminder of the hazard our regulation enforcement officers face each time they depart house for work,” referring to Butler and Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was shot and killed within the line of responsibility Wednesday.
“We misplaced two officers at this time within the line of responsibility,” Patrick wrote in a publish on X. “Texas regulation enforcement officers who make the last word sacrifice defending our communities reside on in our hearts ceaselessly. Please pray tonight for each of those heroes’ households. They’ve suffered such nice loss.”
Republican Texas State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst additionally shared her condolences in a publish on her Fb web page and stated it’s “exhausting to fathom this sudden and reckless lack of life.”
“Our hearts are damaged tonight, and I be part of the complete Navasota group in extending deepest sympathy to the household of Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler,” she wrote. “Sgt Butler tragically died within the line of responsibility late this afternoon when a lady evading arrest drove head-on into his patrol automobile throughout a police pursuit.
“Please maintain Sgt. Butler’s household, associates, and the Navasota Police Division in your prayers throughout this time. He died within the line of responsibility, defending and serving the general public and he won’t ever be forgotten.”
In accordance with the Officer Down Memorial Web page, Butler was a United States Military veteran and had served with the Navasota Police Division nearly 4 years.
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