Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Butler.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2019

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 3, 2015

Officer (Stoney) Butler was my partner and my closest friend. He was an honest, caring and dedicated officer the epitome of what citizens expect of their police officers and police departments. Gone too soon and too young. Not a day goes by that I do not think of him. It hurts as much today as it did then.

Officer HPD
R. C. (Bobby) Rawls

May 14, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 46th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memoiies and devotion t you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 3, 2012

I PUT A FLAG ON YOUR GRAVE TODAY. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

HAROLD HUTCHISON(RETIRED)
HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA POLICE DEPT

May 28, 2009

Dear Preston,
You and I share the same name, and like you I am a traffic officer. Even though it has been many years since you left us you are remembered. I am thankful that we have heros like yourself watching over us. Thank you for your service to the state of Alabama and to this Nation. God speed my brother.

SGT. PRESTON ELLIS
TRAFFIC UNIT KINSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 12, 2009

Preston, I never had the pleasure of meeting you. For so many years you were just a name on a plaque hung in various places around the department. No face to go with the name and few people left at HPD who knew you. Several years into my career, through respect and curiosity, I began researching the events surrounding the deaths of our officers. This led me to the doorstep of one of the kindest, sweetest women I have ever met. Your dear mother and I sat for hours talking about you and how you wanted to follow in your Dad's footsteps. She couldn't recall which one of you were the most proud when you became an officer. She seemed to be so happy that someone was interested in you. I was so happy when she gave me the photo of you that appears on this page. The original photo was cropped but beforehand your Dad was standing next to you in uniform. What a proud time that must have been. I visited her from time to time but I never asked her if "LADY" was her real name or a nickname. Either way the name fit her in every way. I drove by Maple Hill one day and noticed her car parked by your grave. I pulled in as she was trying to get a pushmower out of her trunk. She thanked me for helping her with the mower and went about her business. She must have been doing this for years as you and your Dad's graves were always emaculate. When the Department published a memory book in 2000, we gave her one. A section of the book contained photos and information about our fallen officers. She was very appreciative and although she never cried she did get a little choked up when she looked through that section of the book. She came across Officer Starr and told me how she was working at the Russell Erskine Hotel the day he was killed on his motorcycle at Clinton and Monroe. She said they went out on the sidewalk to see what was going on and she could see the flashing lights up the street. I know that you have been reunited with your mother. It was a pleasure for me to have known her. Rest in Peace Brother. The memory of what you did for this community will live on forever.

Harold Hutchison Police Officer (Retired
Huntsville Alabama Police Dept

February 18, 2009

We are sorry for your Loss. My family has also experienced the loss of a loved one in the line of Duty. This was sent to us, We found this helpful. Hope this helps your family as well.


My Dearest Family and Friends

Somethings I'd like to say but first of all to let you know that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with Our Lord above. where there's no more tears or sadness just eternal Love. Please don't be unhappy because I'm out of sight, remember that I'm with you every morning,noon and Night.

The Day I had to leave you when my Life on earth was through God picked me up and hugged me and He said I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, You were missed while you were gone. As for your Dearest Family they'll be here later on.
I need you here so badly as part of my big plan. Theres so much we have to do to help our Moral Man.
Then God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do, and foremost on that list of mine is to watch and care for you.
I'll be beside you everyday and through out the years, And when your sad. I'm standing there to wipe away your tears.
When You lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight God and I are close you in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on Earth and all the loving years, because your only human they are bound to bring you tears.

Please don't be afraid to cry, it does releive the pain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned, But if I were to tell you You wouldn't understand.One thing is for certain, though my life on Earth is over I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.

To My many Friends, Trust God knows what is best.I'm still not far away from you I'm just beyond the crest.

So, If you can help somebody who is in sorrow or in pain, then you can say to God at night my day was not in vain.
And now I am contented that with my life. it was worth while,Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
If you meet somebody who is down and feeling low just lend a hand and pick him up as on your way you go.
When Your walking down the street and you've got me on your mind just know Im walking in your footstep only a half a step behind.
And if you feel a gentel breeze or wind upon your face thats me just giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace.
I will always love you from the land way up above We'll be in touch again soon
PS God sends his Love.

Anonymous

December 17, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 31, 2008

Rest in peace, brother.

John Marks
Former HPD detective

December 17, 2007

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

June 3, 2007

Rest in Peace, Officer Butler. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2006

Preston and I were hired on the same day. We started out walking the beat in downtown Huntsville, then eventurally promoted to Patrol, then the Traffic Division where we both rode motorcycles. He was Motor #105, and I was #108. We were partners and the very best of friends. We had just taken a break from working radar to go eat supper. Rather than taking the break, Preston (Stony) volunteered (as he always would) to work a traffic accident on the Parkway at Oakwood. He struck the rear of a pickup truck that pulled across in front of him. In a most unusual accident his motorcycle caught fire and exploded. He was immediately transferred to the 'Burn Center' in Birmingham (I went with him) where he struggled for just over a week. When he died, a part of me died also. I have never grieved over another human as I have my friend, Preston R (Stony) Butler. He was a very well known, and liked Police Officer, and still lives in many hearts. His father was Captain Tom Butler, HPD.

R C Rawls Badge #67
Partner--HPD

September 17, 2006

Boy this reminds me of one of our own: a deputy from
Whatcom County, Washington who was 27, on the
force for 5 years, killed in a vehicle accident and survived by a wife. Altho this happened to you 40 years ago, time has not diminished your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

August 31, 2006

A fine fellow and a good cop and I too think of him from time to time.

Worked in the Traffic Division with Preston at the same time Hall did.

Louis E. Davis
Huntsville PD Retired

October 26, 2005

Officer Preston Butler and I rode with the Department from May 1965 until his death June 1966. Preston was 25 years old. I think of him often after so many years. He is still missed!

Johnny Hall, Huntsville Police 1964-1971
United States Marshal's Service, 1971- 1998 (Retired)

Deputy U.S. Marshal (Retired), Johnny Ha
United States Marshal's Service

November 2, 2003