Technical Sergeant Robert Bruce Butler, United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government

Technical Sergeant Robert Bruce Butler

United States Air Force Security Forces, U.S. Government

End of Watch Saturday, January 10, 1998

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Robert Bruce Butler

Technical Sergeant Robert Butler was shot and killed after stopping the vehicle of a serviceman who had killed another serviceman moments earlier.

The incident occurred on Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California. At the time, Sergeant Butler did not know the driver was a suspect in the murder.

He stopped the vehicle for running a stop sign and driving erratically. During the stop, Sergeant Butler called for backup for a possible DUI. The first officer on the scene observed the suspect vehicle speeding away and Sergeant Butler lying on the ground. CPR was started, but the officer was unable to revive him.

The suspect was found dead in a dormitory common area at approximately 7:00 am from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Sergeant Butler was assigned to the 95th Security Forces Squadron. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

Age 34
Tour 13 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location California
Weapon Handgun
Offender Committed suicide

vehicle stop

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I was the Shift Sgt for C Flt when Bob came over from, I believe B Flt. I was heading to Lackland for Combat Arms School. We worked my last three mid shifts together before I departed. We rode patrol together most of those nights while he got to know C Flt, who were the best cops, patrolman, Desk Sgt etc.. Liked him right away as an easy going guy who cared about the troops. I remember a Shift Sgt meeting months before he came over when he showed up in Shorts, T-shirt and flip flops, towing his small kids with him. It was hilarious because the LE Superintendent at the time was kind of strict on appearance and such at these meetings, even if you were on your day off. It’s 2024 and I still am haunted by the feeling, had I not went to Combat Arms School, this would have never happened. RIP Bob.

Trevor Poppler, MSgt (ret)
USAF Security Police/Law Enforcement

August 13, 2024