Army Staff Sgt. Steve Butcher Jr.

Died May 23, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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27, of Rochester, N.Y.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died May 23 of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit in Ramadi, Iraq. Also killed was Pfc. Daniel P. Cagle.

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Rochester area soldier killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A soldier from suburban Rochester was killed in Iraq after an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit, military officials said May 25.

Staff Sgt. Steve Butcher Jr., 27, of Penfield, N.Y. died May 23 in Ramadi.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Butcher’s family and friends learned of his death May 23, according to Steve Butcher Sr.’s law firm. The soldier’s father declined to comment through his law firm.

Butcher was also survived by a six-year-old daughter.

He graduated from Penfield high school in 1997. He also attended Charles Finney School and McQuaid Jesuit High School.

Butcher’s sister, Angela told R-News that he prioritized his fellow soldiers.

“My brother wanted to do everything to ensure the safety of his men,” she said. “He felt personally responsible.”

Butcher last returned home for a visit in November, then returned for his third tour of duty in Iraq in January.

Penfield is 8 miles east of Rochester.