Visiting us marshal museum in Ft Smith Arkansas

Uncle John was an amazing man and a lot of fun to be around as a kid.  I remember going to a nascar race with him and my dad in Arizona.  He always made time to spend with me and my brother growing up and I am so thankful I got to know him and his family.   He is greatly missed.

-Nephew Joey Butler

John was a friend of mine.  We were both Chief Deputy U. S. Marshals.  I am very sad at his passing.   I will miss him.

Jim Propotnick 
Hawaii
808-222-2101
Propotnick@aol.com

I miss John.   Especially at our annual retirement meetings.    We interacted over the course of five decades.   Rest In Peace 

Chief Bulter was a wonderful and outstanding Chief Deputy United States Marshal who will be greatly missed.  We are very sorry to his family for their loss and have them in our prayers.  

Sincerest Condolences, 

Retired Deputy US Marshal's Robin McBride and Angela Eisele

Last saw John more than five years ago when in San Antonio for a case.  He was already retired. The last day in town, he picked me up and we did an eating and drinking tour of the city.  He was very candid about his life.  He loved his girls.  He will be missed.

My Dearest Brother John, My  Best  Man at my wedding,  My Brother  that brought me to the  drag races as he  worked,  My Brother &  I  that  did a   stretch  at  Alcatraz (On a Tour), My Loving Brother with many  many  good  memories will be  missed deeply.  My Dearest  Brother John,  Farewell & Rest Well. 

Oh, that laugh and those big hugs! He was everyone’s favorite dad. On field trip days everyone wanted to ride with John. We knew we’d get there safe and get a great story on the way. When my dad passed I asked John if he’d be my adopted dad. Without hesitation he put his arm around me and said, “I’d be happy to.”  He used to text me and ask if I was texting and driving. I’d reply, “well I am now!” And then I’d get a big lecture about texting and driving. I loved John so much! I have so many fun memories to look back on. So many wonderful years at Concordia with him, Shannon and the girls. I truly miss you Duke!

My sincere condolences go out to his beautiful family. 

Sigh...so many fun times while our girls were at Concordia. John was always ready  to step up for his girls and any other student at school. He had  rules for where he would sit in a restaurant or any public place based on his past work experience. Never with his back at the entrance. He was chatty and friendly, but he was also a good listener. My daughter remembers him giving her and Ceci driving tips. Paige would say “we’re only in the 7th grade”! Teaching life  skills came naturally to John.   When I see pics of him laughing, I can almost hear him. Shannon, Juliette and Ceci, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a big part of all of our lives. 

We will truly miss John.  He was part of the extended family when our daughter Paige went to school with Ceci at Concordia.  He was always there to support his daughter and volunteer.  Our daughter still remembers the time he invited her to watch the Fiesta Parade from some government office balcony downtown.
My funniest recollection of John was his stint as Girl Scout cookie mom.  That garage was full of cookies.  One day he needed to go to a meeting at the Girl Scout office and noticed the "no guns allowed" sign.  He politely told them he could not come in because in his line of work he was required to be armed.  They understand and  welcomed him in.

John was a unique and unforgettable man.   I worked as a training officer with John in the District of Minnesota in 1976.    He was exceptionally smart and eager to learn.   Sometimes we had to learn things twice.   We remained friends throughout his life.   We were friends while he served at the Marshals training academy.   We were friends while he served at the Air Wing in Oklahoma.   We were friends while he was the Chief Deputy and retiree in San Antonio.   Hopefully we will be friends when we meet again.    Godspeed John 

Worked with John at EPIC about 20 years ago. Lots of good memories. May he rest in peace. Condolence to Shannon and the girls.

I was saddened to hear about John’s passing.  Memories of John live in many forms however, none as amazing as his and Shannon’s daughters.  When John spoke of these three ladies, you could feel the love and respect he held for them, and he had a way of making you sense that, through his voice and actions.  John also made his unique mark on his Agency.  He was passionate about his work, and being totally knowledgeable and successful at all the positions he held.  When he became the Chief of JPATS, we would talk almost daily, and I do miss those conversations, but mostly how he made me laugh.  God Bless you my Friend.

I will miss talking with John.  We shared a common bond in love of our country and the various jobs of Homeowner Association Management.  John always had sound advice in the way things should be handled, especially with the homeowners he represented.  He was a kind man and very thoughtful.

It is too soon for him to be riding on his Harley Davidson forever!

My prayers are with his family.  Everyone shares your loss. 

John was a really great person. In my time of need he was there to provide support. I will always be thankful to him.  He was truly an asset to the Marshal Service and a good friend. 
May God bless him always. 


I have known John for over 35 years. Our families were from the same areas of NY and MA. We shared some fun times at FLETC and jumped out of a perfectly good airplane in Florida. I worked the United Nations detail with John and often reached out to him with retirement questions. John cherished his family and often bragged about their accomplishments. I will miss our hour long telephone conversations solving our challenges and those of the world in general. This is a small part of the even bigger loss to his family.

John “Duke” Butler, was a great family man, law enforcement executive and friend to many.  I always enjoyed working with John and talking with him as we discussed many Marshals Service issues.  It was always a pleasure to visit with Chief Butler whenever I visited San Antonio.   He is gone way too soon, and will be missed by his wonderful loving family, and many friends and colleagues.  May God rest his soul, and comfort family, friends and colleagues.  Rest well Chief Butler.  

One of the very best the USMS has had. Respected and admired. John was a personal encouragement to me and a role model. My condolences to the family and rest well my friend. 

I never worked for you Chief but I came to your District a time or two for CIRT. You were old school but  came around to be a strong supporter of Critical Incident Stress Management for Deputies. I truly appreciated the words of encouragement I got from you these past several years since I joined you in retirement to keep up the fight for mental health.  I promise you I will not quit and we will keep going with  the message  you made a difference. God speed.

I am so very sorry to hear about John’s passing. So many years of friendship and camaraderie.  Last saw him at a Marshals conference.  I will truly miss seeing him and sharing many many laughs. Conferences won’t be the same. And in all those years of knowing John, I didn’t know he was older than me by ONE day.  
To his family—my heartfelt condolences. ❤️
 RIP my friend. 🙏 🇺🇸 You will be missed. 

John was many things over my time in the Western District of Texas. A boss, mentor, and friend. Thought the remainder of our active duty service and into retirement his love for his family was without boundaries and spoken of often. May God help to heal the grief with his passing and may his memory be eternal. 

It was an honor to call John a friend and colleague.  I first met him in the mid 90's when I was an Instructor at Glynco and immediately we became friends and someone that I could call for advice. When I was promoted to CDUSM in 2001, John became a mentor to me and was always there to steer me in the right direction. He was such a respected CDUSM that many of us younger CDUSMs looked up to him and respected his opinions.  Over the next ten years, we served on several committees together and always enjoyed getting together to talk. After we both retired, we had several conversations about families and substitute teaching. John always stressed how much he loved his family and enjoyed spending quality time together. RIP John, You always wore the "Star" well. Thanks!!!

Deepest condolences for the family and friends; there is no doubt he will be missed. John wasn't just a "good guy", he was sincere, empathetic, and competent. He never faced a problem he couldn't overcome, or creatively work around; and he never did so at anyone else's expense. It was an honor and privilege to serve as colleagues with him in the US Marshals Service; but even more, it was a blessing to be among those to call him friend.  Requiescat in pace.

Mike Moriarty, USMS 1970-2005

John was a good man, respected , a credit to his family, the USMS and his country. I hope and pray he is at peace and with God. Bless him and his family 
Mike Pizzi US Marshal (Retired)

Our Prayers and condolences to the family for your loss.  May your memories of John comfort you in the days that come, as we also fondly remember John's friendship over the years.  Joe & Carmen Avary

I was in Basic USMS class with John  and we remained close friends. The world needs more John Butlers. 

Shannon, I so sorry for your lost.    My prayers are with you and your beautiful girls.  Take care and stay strong.   Always, Gloria Ramirez

I would like to express my condolences to the Butler family John was a good friend since we were in high school together in New Lebanon New York and graduated together in 1968 Last time I saw John was in San Antonio a couple years ago and we shared lunch downtown area of San Antonio it was a great visit.I also had the awesome  opportunity to see John again at two separate class reunions in New York.May God comfort the Butler family during this difficult time with kindest regards Phil Dawes

John and I went through USMS basic training together.  John was a great guy.  Prayers and thoughts to family.

Shannon, Juliette and Ceci,  we are so sorry for your loss.  We are so  happy we got to speak to John just a few weeks ago.  We have nothing but great memories of him and the current event topics that we'd laugh about and share  opinions on.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  

John was my old friend from the District of Minnesota. We had some great times growing up as Deputies there.  He will be missed greatly.  

John and I both served as Chief Deputy U.S. Marshals.  We were friends.  He was a good, honest man.  He will be missed. 

I was so sad to hear of John’s passing, I saw him last year at the USMS Museum dedication in Ft Smith.  John and I both worked in OKC at the JPATS facility, I was overseeing the construction project and John was working on personnel and operations issues. We were working on pretty stressful issues but also managed to have a few laughs.  My daughter met John in Arkansas and also in OKC and we both remember him fondly.  He loved his daughters and Shannon and talked of them often.

OBITUARY

John Duke Butler

June 1, 1950 – October 13, 2020

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