Saying goodbye after 33 years

Greenwood Police Assistant Chief Michael Butler
says job was calling, opportunity to serve

September 17, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

It’s been nearly 33 years since Michael Butler first put on a uniform to serve and protect area residents as a member of the Greenwood Police Department.
On Friday, Butler turned in that uniform and put on a tuxedo as family, friends and colleagues packed the American Legion Post 20 in Greenwood for a ceremony in honor of his retirement from the department.
“He’s the kind of man you could count on to do the right thing all the time, every time,” Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks told the crowd at Butler’s retirement banquet. “This man is true to himself, he’s true to his principles and he’s true to his God.”
Brooks said his assistant chief’s impact on the police department has been “immeasurable.”
“He was one of the most dedicated and conscientious police officers onboard. When you have that kind of combination, it literally does make an impact that can’t be described in words,” Brooks said. “He is larger-than-life.”
Growing up in Greenwood, Butler, the son of a brick mason, said he had no idea he wanted to work in law enforcement. His first taste of police work came at the age of 19, when he and a friend joined a junior police program in Greenwood. Open to people between the ages of 18 and 21, Butler said the program offered participants a realistic glimpse into the daily duties of law enforcement.
“They gave you a uniform, a nightstick and a radio,” Butler said, “and we had our own little Junior Police badges.”
Though he ended his career as the assistant chief of the police department, Butler started out working as a crossing guard near East End Elementary School on East Cambridge Avenue, he said.
In June of 1975, Butler was given the opportunity to serve as a police officer, he said, and from there he quickly found himself working in the detectives division, where he stayed for about 19 years.
The role of investigator was a perfect fit, Butler said, adding that he loved the thrill of solving a case.
“You’re solving crimes where people really think they’ve gotten away with it,” Butler said. “It’s the who-dunnit part of it, like Sherlock Holmes. You had to do the footwork afterwards.”
That footwork included fingerprinting, photographing evidence and making impressions at crime scenes.
“It’s basic forensics now. We were doing those things back then, but we didn’t know it was forensics,” Butler said, laughing. “I enjoyed that stuff.”
During his first years in the detective division, Butler said many colleagues and supervisors, such as Paul Gary, Ray Manley, Jim Coursey and Alvin Johnson, helped shape and mold him into a thorough investigator — and gave him “a love for documentation.”
“I think those guys really took it to heart. They loved the job and they loved training us as young people,” Butler said.
But during his more than 30 years of service with the department, Butler was also influenced by the cases he worked, and two cases still weigh on his mind decades after they took place.
In 1988, when an armed 19-year-old opened fire in Oakland Elementary School, killing two students and injuring 10 other people, it was Butler and an FBI agent who were assigned to interview the teenager responsible for the shootings.
“That was a time when the entire community was affected and hurting, and we worked on that and brought it to some closure,” Butler said.
And when a female Lander University student was found murdered on Thanksgiving Day of that same year, Butler said the police department worked non-stop to bring closure to the case and restore a sense of security in the community.
“It was a fearful time for a lot of people in the community,” Butler said. “Sometimes you get a case where you’ve just got to solve it. You’ve got to pull out all the stops to get it done, but stay in the parameter of what the law says you can and can’t do. We worked night and day on that for weeks.”
Butler said tough cases like the school shooting and student murder can either make or break a police officer.
“There are always cases in anybody’s career that really are defining moments for whether you are cut out for this work, or whether you really have the tenacity to be a police officer,” he said. “The first case I worked by myself was a murder, and I’ve always had a feel of working those cases because I understand the loss from my personal life. I’ve always liked working on those cases and bringing them to closure.”
When the tough cases began to wear him down, Butler said he found strength in his religious faith and in knowing that he was helping victims.
“We always took the philosophy that, whether it is a stolen bike from somebody’s house or a murder, they are both important to that victim. You’ve got to give it all you’ve got on everything,” he said. “I enjoyed helping people, whether it was outside or inside the department. I enjoyed helping young officers, grooming them and showing them what we do and why we do it. When the light comes on and you realize it’s all about helping people, that’s a good thing.”
Greenwood Police Detective Eric Lewis said Butler had been a “mentor” to him in his more than seven years on the force. From helping Lewis find a place to stay when he first moved to town to helping him learn how to properly tie a necktie, Lewis said Butler has been more of a father figure to him than a supervisor.
“He’s done nothing but inspire me to be like him,” Lewis said. “He’s the type of person that I didn’t want to let down.”
Lewis said Butler’s philosophy of doing things the right way, and not necessarily the easy way, will become Butler’s legacy at Greenwood Police Department.
Maj. Kevin Fallaw said that philosophy had a major impact on himself and the other officers and detectives at the department.
“He taught us that it was important not just to do the work, but to care about the people we are serving — to look beyond the crime to see a way to help the victims and their families,” Fallaw said. “He taught me so much and I’ll try my best to pass on those things.”
Fallaw said the weeks leading up to Butler’s retirement were difficult, knowing that his mentor would soon be leaving.
“I’ve wondered what it will be like when I can’t dial his extension. I’ve dreaded that day coming because I’m so accustomed to calling him for help,” Fallaw said, laughing. “I’ll still call him if I need advice.”
Brooks said he thought Butler’s work ethic, people skills and compassion for the job would have a positive impact on the current and future officers of Greenwood.
“Michael was in this job because he loves law enforcement, he loves the Greenwood Police Department and he loves this community,” Brooks said. “It was evident in his work ethic every day of his career.”
For Butler, the most rewarding thing about law enforcement is helping the community and seeing a smile come over a person’s face when he has helped them through a problem.
“When you hear a word of thanks after you’ve solved a case and brought closure to a significant emotional experience for a victim, you see that people are genuinely appreciative of the work you do,” he said.
And in his coming years away from the job, Butler said he’ll miss that part of police work the most.
“I never saw it as power. I just saw it as a calling and an opportunity to serve,” he said. “That’s what I see police work as. If it’s not in you, if it’s not your calling, you’re not going to last.”
Law enforcement was Butler’s calling for 33 years, he said, but now his calling is leading him in a new direction. He said his main focus will be on pastoring with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in McCormick.
“I know that this is a calling that God has given me, and it is a pleasure to be able to work for Him full time, to help people from a pastoring side,” Butler said. “It’s been a long period of time (at the Greenwood Police Department), but it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like it was just yesterday that I started.
“It was a good run, but now it’s time to go on to higher heights.”

Gwen Boone

Gwendolyn Manson “Gwen” Boone, 54, resident of 112 Fawnbrook Drive, wife of Marion Hoyt Boone, died September 17, 2006 at her home following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Born in Greenwood February 18, 1952, she was a daughter of Mamie Lightsey Manson and the late Winton Franklin Manson. She was formerly employed by Grimes Aerospace and retired from Lander University.
A member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church and the Adult #4 Sunday School Class, she was also a member of the church choir, and the decorating committee of the church. She was a master gardener and was a representative of Home Interiors and Design.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home and her mother of Greenwood are two daughters, Amy Hastings Owensby and husband Cliff of Greenwood and Beth Hastings Morrow and husband Trey of Greenville; a stepson, Bryon Boone of Florida; a brother, Winton F. Manson of Greenwood; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Tuesday at Rice Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Alvin Hodges and Rev. Jimmy Tucker officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Manson, Tony Boone, Jonathan Luquire, Brad Setzler, Mark Little, Jay Reynolds, George Martin and Billy Ray Price.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 PM Tuesday.
The family is at the home in Fawnbrook and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 Monday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the South Carolina Ovarian Cancer Foundation, 706 East Washington Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Boone family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Mary Julia Ellis

Mary Julia Ellis, 90, resident of 437 E. Cambridge Avenue, died September 17, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born February 6, 1916 in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late John Millen and Daisy Elizabeth Smith Ellis. She was a graduate of Due West High School and was retired from Scott Manufacturing Company in Anderson.
Ms. Ellis was a member of the Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are a sister, Sara E. and husband T.P. Callison of Greenwood and a number of nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 AM Tuesday in the Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Rev. Calvin Draffin officiating.
The family is at the home of Sara and T.P. Callison, 2719 County Farm Road and will receive friends at the graveside immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ellis family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Mamie Foster

Mamie Foster, 91, of 110 Sycamore Drive, widow of Lewis Foster Sr., died Saturday September 16, 2006 at her home.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Mac Mills

GILBERT — Malcolm Arthur “Mac” Mills, 69, husband of Sara Harrington Mills, 1431 Peach Festival Road, Gilbert, died Saturday, September 16, 2006 at Lexington Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Arthur William “Buster” and Inez Dickert Mills. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He was retired from the City of Greenwood Fire Department, was the former owner and operator of Mills Ambulance Service and was a funeral director and embalmer licensed with the State of South Carolina. He was a former member of Greenwood Lodge #91 A.F.M., Jamil Shrine Temple, the Hejaz Shrine Temple and the Clown Unit. He was a member of the Sinclair Lodge #154 in West Columbia and was a former member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, Greenwood.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home; is a daughter, Susan Roberts of Gilbert; three grandchildren, Kristen and Katilyn Roberts and Tanner Smith and several aunts and cousins.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Monday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Barrett Alewine and the Rev. Wilton Scruggs officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Bryant, Larry Harrington, Fred Harrington, Carl Wright, Allen Piester and Johnny Dickert.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Gilbert Church of God building fund, 4184 Augusta Highway, Gilbert, SC 29054.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Billy Murray

TROY — Billy Lee Murray, 62, resident of 1522 Kirksey Pittsburg Road, husband of Lisa Faye Johnson Murray died September 16, 2006 at the Hospice House of Greenwood.
Born October 11, 1943 in Abington, Virginia a son of the late Ernest and Ida Mae Dollar Murray, he was retired from Sligh & Wilson Electric Company after 38 years of service. A US Air Force Veteran, he attended Mountain Creek Baptist Church where he was a member of the Bible Fellowship Sunday School Class.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 11 years are sons, Demond Murray, Edmund Murray and wife Melissa and Aaron Murray, all of Greenwood; daughter, Grace Isaako, also of Greenwood; grandchildren, Kelsey Murray, Hannah Murray and Alannha Parks; sister, Mary Rodgers and husband Johnny; Mary was formerly married to the late J.P. Blizzard. Brothers, Bob Murray and wife Evelyn, Cleve Murray and wife Maurine and Mike Murray, all of Greenwood; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Warren and Faye Johnson of Troy; sister-in-law, Diane Wetzel and husband Burt of Greenwood; and niece Lucy Wetzel, also of Greenwood.
Mr. Murray was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Sue Buchanan and Ernestine Bell; and brother Frank Murray. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Mountain Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Wayne Wiggins and Reverend Melvin Brown officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Greg Murray, Tony Jennings, Robert Vines, Lamar Johnson, Russell Johnson, Marshall Johnson, and Darren Deloach.
Honorary escort will be the men of Mountain Creek Baptist Church and former co-workers of Sligh & Wilson Electric Company.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10:00 AM Tuesday.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-9 Monday evening.
Those desiring may make memorials to Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund c/o, Warren Johnson, 1507 Kirksey Pittsburg Road, Troy, SC 29848 or Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 in memory of Mr. Murray.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Murray family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Meeting is at 7 tonight on school bonds questions

September 18, 2006

It could be as much as $135,000.000 - that’s millions — that the School District 50 Board of Trustees is planning to borrow (sell bonds) for construction and improvements. Or, it could be as much as $150,000,000. That means that taxpayers living in that school district would be in that much debt for perhaps as few as 10 years or as many as 30 years.
The Board wants to get the bond debt locked in before the first of the year when the rules for making such decisions will change under state law.

THE PLAN HAS CREATED controversy among many taxpayers who feel they have not been given enough information ... except maybe in bits and pieces that served to cloud the issue. As the circumstances unfolded, it seemed to some that the intent was to keep the full story of the bond situation low key, without much dialogue concerning it ..... at least publicly.
Don’t heap all the criticism on the Board, though. It has held public meetings on the subject. While many taxpayers feel the figures involved have been handled in such a way that would be difficult for some to comprehend or keep up with the totals mentioned - whether on purpose or not — too few have demonstrated any interest. Consequently, only a few have made known their concerns.

WHETHER IT WOULD DO any good is debatable. But, District 50 taxpayers could show their concern by attending the Board’s meeting at 7 o’clock tonight at the District offices on Calhoun Road, across from the Harris Plant.
It’s simple. If you’re comfortable with how the bond issue situation has been handled by the Board, and with going into so much debt for so long a time, don’t go to the meeting. However, if you have doubts about the whole thing and want to show your concern, go and let your presence speak.
Remember: Monday night at 7 o’clock at the School District 50 office on Calhoun Road ... across from the Harris Plant of Greenwood Mills.