Former police chief remembered fondly

Howard "Butch" Boyd, the former police chief in Cape Girardeau, died Feb. 18 at the age of 73.

Boyd was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. He spent six years in active duty with another 26 in the reserves.

His 26-year career with the Cape Girardeau Police Department included positions of training officer, administrative assistant, SWAT team commander, internal affairs officer and director of field operations. He finished his career with the department as chief of police, retiring in 1996 after eight years in the leadership role.

Former Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling called Boyd a "really fine person" and said he was known as a family man.

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

Among his surviving family are his wife, Patricia Ann Boyd, and two sons.

We extend our prayers for Boyd's family and friends.