Marshal Butcher was shot and killed while searching two suspects. One of the men suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot Marshal Butcher twice. Although wounded, Marshal Butcher was able to return fire until he was shot a third time and killed.

It was later discovered that both suspects were brothers who had escaped from Anamosa Prison. Both drowned when they attempted to swim the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska, in an attempt to escape a pursuing posse.

Marshal Butcher had been with the agency for eight years and was survived by his wife and six children.