Courtesy of Floyd Snider, Jr

Grover C. Butler,  Chief

Tecumseh Police Department

Grover Butler had served as Sheriff of Pottawatomie County from 1921 until 1925. He became Chief of Police of Tecumseh in 1928. About 1:30 A. M. on Monday, April 18, 1932, Chief Butler was making his rounds behind the Tecumseh Post Office.  As he walked down the alley he was shot once in the back and once in the abdomen by Joe Smith who had been crouched under a porch at the rear of the building.  Smith had openly threatened Chief Butler after he was arrested several times by the Chief. Chief Butler emptied his revolver at the fleeing Smith but missed him. Chief Butler, 47, died eight hours later after he gave a dying statement identifying Smith as his shooter.  Butler left behind his wife Louretta and three sons, A. Glenn, G. Wilson and Franklin "Grimmie".  Joe Smith was found guilty of the murder of Chief Butler and sentenced to life in prison.