Former Cape police chief Butch Boyd dies at 73

Former Cape Girardeau police chief Howard "Butch" Boyd, 73, died at his home in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday.

Born in Cape Girardeau in 1940, Boyd, weighed only 3 pounds because of his premature birth and earned his nickname "Butch" from the nurses because he was "a survivor."

Boyd went on to dedicate the majority of his life to service for others.

He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Vietnam War era at the age of 17. After graduating from high school, he served six years in active duty and another 26 years in the reserves.

Boyd joined the Cape Girardeau Police Department in January 1970. Throughout his 26 years with the department, he served as a training officer, administrative assistant, SWAT team commander, internal affairs officer, director of field operations and chief of police. He also graduated from the FBI's National Academy in 1976; he was the first Cape Girardeau officer to go to the FBI Academy since 1949.

He served as chief for eight years before retiring in 1996. Boyd then spent 10 1/2 years as director of security for Southeast Hospital, where he retired in 2006.

He also was a member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau, American Legion Post 63 in Cape Girardeau and the FBI National Academy Associates.

Former Cape Girardeau mayor Al Spradling said he remembers Boyd most for his love of family and dedication to the community.

"He was very popular," said Spradling. "A very person-oriented chief who dealt well with officers. He was a street officer who rose up through the ranks."

Spradling first worked with Boyd when he served on the Cape Girardeau City Council and again after Spradling was elected mayor in 1994. After Boyd retired from the police department and began his work with Southeast Hospital, Spradling -- chairman of the hospital's board of trustees -- continued to work with the man he called "a fixture in the community." He said Boyd did "a fine job" working with the hospital as well.

In addition to his work ethic, Spradling said Boyd was known as a family man. He married his high-school sweetheart Patricia Rudert, a retired Jackson schoolteacher, in 1961 and had two sons.

Spradling said Boyd left behind many legacies that will carry on within the community.

"It's a sad day for the community," Spradling said. "He was a really fine person. We'll miss him."

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with military rites conducted by the Missouri Honor Guard.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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