NAVASOTA, Texas – The Navasota Police Department is in mourning after losing one of its officers during a pursuit with a driver Wednesday afternoon.
According to Public Information Officer Dan Simmons with the College Station Police Department, it all started a little after 3 p.m. when they received a call about an unidentified woman trying to cash a fake check at Prosperity Bank on Rock Prairie Road.
When CSPD officers spoke with the woman, she drove away and fled toward Highway 6 to Grimes County. At some point while she was fleeing, the woman was seen driving in the opposite direction, so CSPD officers stopped their pursuit due to the dangers.
However, officials with Texas DPS said the driver continued in the opposite direction into Grimes County, entering the highway (via the exit ramp). During that time, Sergeant Mark Butler with Navasota Police Department was driving in his patrol car and was hit by the wrong-way driver.
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DPS officials said Sergeant Butler was rushed to a hospital nearby, where he succumbed to his injuries. The wrong-way driver, additionally, died at the scene, but her identity hasn’t been released, as of this writing.
An investigation is still being led by the Texas DPS and Texas Highway Patrol, but at last check, it does not appear Sergeant Butler’s lights and sirens were on when it happened.
💙 It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic loss of Navasota Police Department's, Sergeant Mark Butler, who...
Posted by City of Navasota - Government on Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Details on how to honor Sergeant Butler will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, the City of Navasota has asked the public for condolences.
“We ask for the community’s thoughts and prayers for the officer’s family, loved ones, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” the post read.