A Texas police officer, an Army vet, was killed in the line of duty during a car chase
A Texas police sergeant and an Army veteran killed in the line of duty are being hailed as heroes for preventing an even more tragic accident.
Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed in a head-on collision while chasing a suspect trying to cash a counterfeit check, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a site dedicated to remembering law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
The ordeal began shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, January 15th when the College Station Police Department (CSPD) responded to a fraudulent activity in progress at Prosperity Bank.
Authorities said officers made contact with a female suspect who was attempting to cash a fraudulent check and fled in a black Jeep Wrangler.
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Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed in a head-on collision Wednesday afternoon while chasing a suspect who tried to cash a fake check. (Officer Dawn Memorial Page)
Troopers were dispatched to the suspect who was reportedly traveling the wrong direction on Highway 6 in Navasota, about 24 miles outside of College Station.
At about 3:30 p.m., Butler, who was traveling north, swerved her marked patrol vehicle and collided with the suspect, preventing her from hitting other drivers on the freeway, authorities said.
Authorities say Butler was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. The wrong-way driver, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The family of Bryan, Texas, spoke to KBTX and thanked Butler for his bravery and saving the lives of other motorists.
“If it wasn’t for the officer, I don’t think we would have made it out,” Jonathan Kreider told KBTX of the stressful moments before the crash. “He gave himself up so that no one else would perish.”
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Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed Wednesday while chasing a wrong-way driver trying to cash a counterfeit check. (linkedIn)
Kreider told KBTX that he and his co-workers were returning to Bryan from a landscaping job in Cypress when they saw a black Jeep Wrangler speeding toward them. At the last moment, Kreider said, Butler swerved his patrol car into the Jeep’s path to prevent the oncoming car from hitting Kreider’s car and other surrounding vehicles.
“We switched lanes about five seconds before the injury,” Kreider said. “He didn’t swerve or brake. He sacrificed himself to save everything behind us. I truly owe my life to him.”
Officials said the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is leading the investigation into the crash and the College Station Police Department is assisting with the investigation into the hoax incident.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sergeant Butler’s family, co-workers and the entire Navasota community,” the College Station Police Department said in a social media post.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Butler’s death was a “sad reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face every time they leave the home for work.” Butler and Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas were shot and killed. The line of work Wednesday.
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“We lost two officers today. Texas law enforcement officers who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities will forever be in our hearts. Please pray for both heroes tonight,” Patrick wrote in a post on X. The families have suffered such a great loss.
“It is hard to comprehend this sudden and senseless loss of life,” Texas state Sen. Lois Colhurst, a Republican, said in a post on her Facebook page.
“Tonight our hearts are broken, and I join the entire Navasota community in offering our deepest condolences to the family of Navasota Police Sergeant Mark Butler,” she wrote. “Sgt Butler tragically died this afternoon when he was on duty when he crashed into his patrol car during a police chase after a woman was arrested.
“This sudden and senseless loss of life is hard to fathom. Those who wear blue risk so much to protect us all. … We remember the sacrifices they made in times like these. He lived his life to serve others.”
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“Please keep Sgt. Butler’s family, friends and the Navasota Police Department in your prayers at this time. He died protecting and serving the public and will never be forgotten.”
According to Officer Dawn’s memorial page, Butler was a veteran of the United States Army and served with the Navasota Police Department for four years.
Stephen Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
