By Kevin McGinley, Class of 2007  

Dear Butler family,

Sept. 24, 2013 marks nine years since Butler University Police Officer James Davis gave his life for the Butler community.

On Friday, Sept. 24, 2004, Officer Davis responded to Hinkle Fieldhouse to investigate a report of a suspicious individual.

When Officer Davis arrived on scene at Hinkle to investigate the situation, a cowardly individual attacked him, shooting and killing this brave officer at the doorstep of Hinkle.

Officer Davis was just 31 years old when he died defending Butler.

He was a good man.

Officer Davis demanded commitment from himself in total service of others—he was an Army veteran and served our country as a military policeman.

Officer Davis denied selfishness in everything he did—he freely gave his free time to volunteer as an instructor with troubled youths.

Officer Davis sought improvement every day. At the time of his death, Officer Davis was working on completing a Butler MBA.

And at all times, he put us—his Butler family—above himself.

Officer Davis is the Butler Way.

Please take a brief moment to pause and thank Officer Davis, the Butler University Police Department and the Davis family.

Say a prayer for his wife, and his three children.

Officer Davis made the ultimate sacrifice for Butler nine years ago.

Please, never forget.

Kevin McGinley, Class of 2007