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At Center Woods Memorial Elementary in Weare, New Hampshire, students received a visit this week that was both exciting and deeply meaningful. Police dogs from several departments across the state gathered at the kindergarten to meet children and honor the son of a fallen officer.
The event was especially significant for five–year–old Ezra Butler. Earlier this year, his father, Sgt. Mark Butler, a Texas police officer, was killed in the line of duty. Sgt. Butler had trained police dogs and even donated them to his community. For Ezra, seeing the K–9s arrive at his new school created a connection to the work his father loved.
“He catched the bad guy. He saved people,” Ezra told his classmates, proudly remembering his father.
Among the visiting dogs, Ezra’s favorite was Bear, a comfort K–9 from Derry. He had been looking forward to the moment all week, telling his classmates in advance, “I was just saying the dogs come in today to my friends.”
Melissa Butler, Ezra’s mother, said the day offered her son comfort and pride. “(Mark) used to train dogs, and he worked for a very small town in Texas. Recently we did lose him, but he was a hero,” she said.
The visit was organized with the help of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire after Ezra expressed a wish to pet a police dog. What began as a simple request quickly grew into an event that included several law enforcement agencies, their K–9 partners, and enthusiastic children.
School leaders noted that while the dogs provided joy and encouragement, the gathering also introduced students to law enforcement and possible careers in public service. Ezra remarked that his classmates shared in his excitement. “All of them were really excited,” he said.
For Ezra, adjusting to life in a new town and a new school has not been easy. This special day offered more than distraction; it reinforced the memory of his father’s dedication and allowed his family to feel the support of an entire community.