The Chubbuck Police Department is honored to announce the upcoming retirement of Lieutenant Robert James Butterfield. After 28 years of Law Enforcement service to our local community and the Chubbuck Police Department, Lieutenant (Lt.) Butterfield has decided to retire on October 19th, 2023.

Lt. Butterfield was born in Provo, Utah, but moved to the Chubbuck/Pocatello area at a young age. He started working at an early age and graduated from Pocatello High School. After high school, he was called to serve a mission in London, England, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After returning home from his mission, Lt. Butterfield attended Idaho State University and graduated from the Law Enforcement Program on October 27th, 1995. He was hired by the Chubbuck Police Department (CPD) on October 23rd, 1995, and has been a staple in our agency ever since.

During his time with the CPD, Lt. Butterfield served as a Field Training Officer, a member of the Special Response Team and as both the Criminal Investigations Division Commander and Patrol Division Commander. He also served as a Radar Instructor, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Instructor and other Chemical Munitions Instructor.

In 2001, the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce voted Lt. Butterfield as the “Officer of the Year” and he received an “Outstanding Supervisor Award” in 2005. In 2018, he completed the 22-week Police Staff and Command course of study through the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, graduating with class #430.

In May of 2005, Lt. Butterfield executed a high-risk search warrant with the CPD Special Response Team and they were met with hostile gunfire from within the darkened residence, resulting in two of his team members being shot. Lt. Butterfield remained calm, assisted one of the wounded officers to safety, and remained with the officer until medical personnel could attend to him.

In May of 2006, Lt. Butterfield was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Medal of Valor for his part in the operation. The Medal of Valor is the Chubbuck Police Department’s highest award and is only awarded to members who show selflessness in the line of duty and who perform acts of courage involving risk of serious personal injury, for the purpose of saving or protecting human life.

On many occasions, Lt. Butterfield has shown that he has a “heart for service,” not only for our community, but for his wife and two sons. He will be missed and we here at the Chubbuck Police Department wish him the best with his future endeavors.

Congratulations Lt. Butterfield, enjoy your well-deserved retirement.