With deep regret, the Martinsburg Police Department announces the death
of PFC Roger E. (J.R.) Butcher, age 30, late Thursday evening,
January 29, 2009, at City Hospital in Martinsburg, WV. J.R. was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing.

Over the past year, J.R. has fought a valiant fight against cancer. His spirit
and determination never waivered and each day he looked forward to and
expressed optimism in returning to his full duties at the Martinsburg Police Department.

J.R. was a nine (9) year veteran of the Martinsburg Police Department.
During his career, J.R. performed a number of assignments for the Martinsburg
Police Department. These include the following:

School Resource Officer at Martinsburg High School
Assistant Firearms Instructor
Member Emergency Response Team
Advisor-Martinsburg P.D. Explorer Post #27
Martinsburg P.D. Bicycle Unit
Past Coordinator-“Bigs in Blue” Program with
Big Brothers/Big Sisters

J. R. was an August 2000 graduate of the 107th session of the Basic Police
Training Class at the West Virginia State Police Academy.

J.R. loved his profession and enjoyed helping the community, most especially
young people and adolescents. He was an outstanding role model and mentor
and received numerous positive reviews as the 1st School Resource Officer
at Martinsburg High School prior to his illness.

J.R. was well-respected and admired by his peers in the law enforcement-
criminal justice community.

During his cancer battle, J.R. and his family received an enormous amount of
support from the community in various forms such as financial, emotional and
spiritual.

During his professional career, J.R. also worked for 4 months as a
Deputy Sheriff with the Berkeley County Sheriffs Office.

God saw he was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around him and whispered, "Come with Me".

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away, Although we loved him dearly we could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest, God broke our heart to prove to us he only takes the best