A Tale of Two Top Cops: Chief Stole Heroin, Sheriff Killed in Line-of-Duty
The former Elizabeth Borough police chief, Timothy Butler, pleaded guilty to stealing heroin from the department’s evidence room but he will not go to jail. Instead of jail, Butler was sentenced to 55 months probation and 325 hours of community service.
In August, Butler pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, one count of possession and one count of obstructing the administration of law. The sheer amount of heroin found in Butler’s possession makes the one count of possession outright laughable.
According to Pennsylvania police, Butler was arrested last year after they found more than 60 bundles of heroin and 3,230 individual “stamp bags” (given this name for being the size of a stamp and individually packaged for resale) in and around his desk — inside his police chief office.
Clearly he was unconcerned with hiding it because after all, he was the top cop. According to the criminal complaint, when asked how bad the evidence problem was, Butler said, “it was all gone.”
Had Butler not been a police officer, rest assured that he would have received a far harsher sentence than just probation. Indeed, many will argue — and rightfully so — that Butler should face harsher sentencing due to the betrayal of his duties as the top cop.
In a separate incident in Alabama, a veteran law enforcement commander with an impressive 40-year career was killed by the teenage son of a veteran cop.
The son of an Alabama deputy sheriff is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing of a popular sheriff over the weekend. The 18-year-old, identified as William Johnson, will appear in court Monday. He’s being accused of fatally shooting Sheriff John Williams, Sr. on Saturday in the parking lot of a gas station.
According to local news reports, Johnson was playing loud music in his truck and allegedly opened fire at Sheriff Williams when he asked him to turn down the volume. At that point, Johnson pulled out a firearm and shot the sheriff.
The shooter initially fled the scene, but returned hours later and surrendered to police. was arrested. Authorities confirmed Sunday that Johnson is the son of a Montgomery County deputy.
“It’s a very sad time for Lowndes County and the State of Alabama,” said Sgt. Steve Jarrett, commander of the Montgomery Trooper Post. “We’ve got many law enforcement officers, sheriffs from surrounding counties, here to show their support, and if any of you know Big John Williams, he was a wonderful man.”
“Alabama mourns the loss of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams, who was killed in the line of duty. Sheriff Williams dedicated over 40 years of his life to public safety, including 19 years as Sheriff. Please pray for his family and fellow officers,” said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall
