Support Services Division

Major Danny Butler

Danny Butler was selected by Chief Russell Abernathy and was confirmed by the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners to serve as Captain, Commander of the Support Services Division, on January 5, 2005.

Danny Butler has served more than 39 years in law enforcement beginning his career June 1, 1969 as an Emergency 911 Dispatcher for DeKalb County Police Department.  After one year of service, he joined the Georgia State Patrol where he served from 1970 to 1997 attaining the rank of Captain. While with the Georgia State Patrol, he paralleled his career with the Georgia Army National Guard and served seven years, simultaneously, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

In June 1971, after having served as a dispatcher in State Patrol Headquarters, he was promoted to the rank of Trooper. Upon completion of Trooper School, he was assigned to the Governor’s Mansion as Executive Security for Governor Lester Maddox and later, Governor Jimmy Carter and family. In 1972, he was transferred to the Madison Patrol Post and patrolled Morgan, Jasper, Greene, Rockdale and Newton Counties. In late 1972, Trooper Danny Butler was promoted to Trooper First Class and transferred to the Atlanta Patrol Post where he patrolled Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton Counties. While working in Atlanta, he was assigned to Executive Security for Speaker of the House of Representatives, during the 1973 term. From 1974-1976, he was a member of the first Georgia State Patrol S.W.A.T. Team and attended Mount Yohna Ranger School. In August 1981, he was promoted to Corporal and transferred to Mt. View where he patrolled Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb Counties. In January 1983, he was transferred to Georgia State Patrol Headquarters and was assigned to the Office of Professional Standards. In September 1984, he was promoted to Sergeant and on June 1986, he was appointed as the Departmental Legal Officer to work with the State Attorney General’s Office. For four years, he served as Legal Officer overseeing legal issues, personnel matters and Internal Affairs Investigations as it relates to the Department of Public Safety. He was promoted to Lieutenant and Captain, in the Legal Office, before being reassigned.

In April 1991, he was assigned to Forsyth, Georgia, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center as an Assistant Training Officer for the Georgia State Patrol. November 1991, he was reassigned as the Assistant Director of Driver Services, supervisor of the Office of Revocation and Suspension.  In 1994, Captain Danny Butler was assigned to Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council as an Investigator working 18 counties in southwest Georgia. While working in this position, he investigated certified police officers found guilty of misconduct to determine if their certification would be revoked or suspended. In January 1996, he was assigned as the Assistant Troop Commander for the Safety Education Division. May 1996, he was assigned to the 1996 Olympic Committee and designated Assistant Venue Commander in Athens, Georgia. While at The University of Georgia, he was assigned to Sanford Stadium and was responsible for security during the Olympic Soccer events. Upon completion of this assignment, he retired from the Georgia State Patrol in February 1997. 

Employment activities while employed by the Georgia Department of Public Safety include but not limited to : drafting departmental rules and regulations, drafting legislation, serving as a certified instructor, appointed Legislative Liaison Officer for the Georgia General Assembly 1986, 1987, 1988, counselor at the Georgia Boys State Camp, Workers Compensation Board Member, Officer Indemnification Board Member, Public Safety Credit Union loan officer, advanced first aid instructor, drafting legislation officer, Internal Affairs Investigator, committee member of Prosecuting Attorney’s Council, Chairman of the American Association Motor Vehicle Administrators Legal Affairs and Safety Responsibility Committee.

Between 1997 and 2005, he became a Reserve Deputy for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office continuing his law enforcement career.  He developed property commercially and assisted his brother in a family owned security business.

In January 2005, he was appointed Captain, Support Services Commander with the Henry County Police Department.  During a reconstruction of the Command Staff, in November 2005, he was promoted to Major, Support Services Commander.  While employed by Henry County Police Department, Major Butler’s activities include but not limited to: State Certification and Assessor Manager, completion of Georgia Chief’s School, appointed as County Beverage License Board Member, promotion assessor, Property and Evidence Specialist, and assisting with Departmental Budget.

For his civic, military and law enforcement efforts through the years, Major Butler has received several awards, including: 1978 Purple Heart Award, 1982 State Proficiency Award, 15, 20 and 25 Year State Service Awards, 1985 Tri-City Metropolitan Atlanta Narcotics Award, 2006-2007 Command Staff Award, 2007-2008 Meritorious Service Award.

Major Butler has accumulated hundreds of specialized training hours in military, law enforcement, legislative lobby/counsel, personnel /human relations and executive security protection.  He is a graduate of Clayton State University with a degree in Criminal Justice and Atlanta Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree in Law.

As an active member of his community, Major Butler has coached numerous little league baseball and softball teams.  He has served as Finance Manager and Deacon at Heatherwood Baptist Church. In May 2003, he attended real estate school and obtained a license as a Realtor, working within the community.  

Major Butler has been married to his wife, Teresa, for fifteen years. They have three children: Heather, Erin and Amanda and three grandchildren. Teresa and Danny are members at Glen Haven Baptist Church.