BILL CREATING SGT. MARK BUTLER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY ADVANCES TO GOVERNOR

  

A bill honoring the life of fallen Navasota Police Sergeant Mark Butler has unanimously passed through both chambers of the Texas Legislature and now awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s signature.

House Bill 3510, authored by State Representative Trey Wharton, designates a portion of Highway 6 between College Station and Navasota as the “Sergeant Mark Butler Memorial Highway”.

Butler was killed in the line of duty on January 15^th while responding to a police pursuit, as a fleeing suspect drove on the wrong side of the highway at high speeds. 

Butler joined the Navasota Police Department in June 2021 after having served 10 years in the United States Army, including two tours in Germany and Afghanistan.  He is survived by his wife, Evette Fannin Butler, and their two sons, Elias and Ezra.

Wharton said the designation “will serve as a symbol of the sacrifice Sergeant Butler and his family made in order to protect others.”  He said, “Every driver who travels this highway will be reminded of the courage and dedication it represents.  He gave everything to protect this community - it is our duty to honor him.”

TxDOT will place memorial signs at both ends of the designated stretch of Highway 6 and at appropriate locations along the route.  Funding for the creation and installation of the signage will come from private, community-raised funds.

Upon the governor’s signature, the law will take effect on September 1^st.