Firefighters Mourn Evans Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department Chief Sam Butler

MAXTON – Hundreds of firefighters and lawmen joined friends and family members of Sam Butler on Friday afternoon to honor the fallen chief of the Evans Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.

Butler was 52 when he was killed Sunday night in a vehicle crash while responding to a wreck in the westbound lanes of Interstate 74. Friends remembered him during a funeral service at Purnell Swett High School as a kind man who loved to laugh and help people – the kind of man who led by example.

“He was always one of the first ones on the scene,” said Randy Locklear, retired honorary member of the Evans Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. “We’re going to miss his big smile, his big laugh and his leadership.”

The service at the high school lasted more than an hour and was followed by a funeral procession to Butler’s fire station. Butler’s flag-draped casket was loaded onto a firetruck as law officers stood at attention, saluting as it passed.

A procession of about 75firetrucks and rescue units, escorted by helicopters from UNC Carolina Air Care and N.C. Forest Service, took Butler’s casket to his fire station for a final pass-through, and then on for a graveside service.

“He deserved everything that we’re doing for him,” said Buddy Dial, retired chief with the Evans Crossroads department. “He’s going to be missed a whole bunch.”

Organizers were expecting at least 1,000 people, including firefighters, medics, deputies and troopers from across the Carolinas, to attend the funeral, he said.

Tim Pope, fire chief with the Bay Leaf Fire Department in Wake County, said he met Butler while teaching a Chief 101 course at Robeson Community College.

“I remember him because he always sat in the front row,” Pope said. “He was very attentive and asked a lot of questions. He was just a very nice guy, and you could tell he had a love for his community.”

Walter Jones, a volunteer with the N.C. Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said he had known Butler for years as a great leader who served locally and statewide.

Adlia Strickland, the Robeson County forest ranger for the state Forest Service, said he grew up in the same community as Butler and they were good friends. He said Butler was was always a happy man who liked to help others.

“Sam has left an example for our young firemen,” said Locklear, of the Evans Crossroads department. “My challenge to them is to pick up that cross. Pick up that effort and make a difference.”