KCPD Memorial Lest We Forget
Honoring the Fallen
Officer
Hugh Levon Butler
Kansas City, MO Police Dept
EOW: Friday, February 2, 1968
Age: 30
DOB: November 25, 1937
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Cause: Handgun
Weapon: .25 caliber, .38 caliber
Incident Location: Jackson CountyLocation: 3502 Troost
Suspect: Apprehended

Officer Hugh Butler was shot by an armed suspect and also accidentally shot by other officers responding to a disturbance involving an armed male at a tavern.

On the morning of February 2, 1968, Officers Hugh Butler and Ed Donahue responded to a disturbance call at the Brass Rail tavern, 3502 Troost in plain clothes involving a man armed with a gun. As the officers entered the tavern, they were met with gunfire from the interior of the building. Officer Butler's partner was shot in the right arm. Officer Butler was then shot by the suspect with a semi-automatic pistol, fell to his knees and when he rose to his feet he was then fatally wounded by what was later determined to be friendly fire coming from another officer's duty weapon. Officer Butler was pronounced dead upon arrival at Menorah Hospital. Terry McCullough (aka Terry Mikol), 35, was indicted on a charge of assault with intent to kill. Officer Donahue was wounded in the wrist and two patrons were also wounded. The third officer was cleared of criminal responsibility in the accidental shooting.

Officer Butler, 30, had been with the Kansas City Police Department for four years and previously served for three years in the United States Army. He pitched for the Kansas City Police Softball team. Interred: Carrollton, Missouri. Services were attended by 150 Kansas City, Missouri police officers and Chief Clarence Kelly.

Article by Brent Marchant

Kansas City Police Memorial