Officer just weeks away from graduation dies in off-duty incident

A community is mourning after a police officer who was weeks away from his police academy graduation passed away. Officer Braydon Butler passed away after sustaining injuries from an off-duty incident, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.

The Georgia man was remembered by his colleagues as “light to others”. The sheriff’s office said in a statement, “Anyone who knew Braydon knew he loved to serve God and others first.”

Even in death Braydon continues to save lives as an organ doctor.

Braydon’s journey in law enforcement began when he was 14 years of age, participating in the department’s High School Explorers program. He was just four weeks away from graduating from the Northeast Georgia Police Academy and becoming a deputy sheriff before his life was cut short. No additional details surrounding the incident have been made public at this time.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed that they have retired his DC-21 and exploring possibilities to make his a deputy sheriff posthumously.

In lieu of flowers, the Butler family has requested donations be made in his name to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Education Fund.