Joshua Butler
Joshua Butler was originally from Wetumka, where he still had family. He was held at the Okfuskee County Jail, and the sheriff, Logan Manshack, said he got out around December 20, 2025 by removing a sink and passing through a plumbing chase, and that staff did not realize he was missing until Christmas Day. The sheriff said a water-damaged lock that was hard to replace contributed to the escape, and an outside agency has been invited to review jail policies and infrastructure. On December 31, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers located a vehicle connected to him in Hughes County, and the Highway Patrol said he was fatally shot in a confrontation with troopers. Authorities have not said whether he fired a weapon or how many shots troopers fired, and the shooting remains under investigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff. Oklahoma Highway Patrol says troopers shot Butler during a confrontation after he escaped the Okfuskee County Jail, and the Okfuskee County Sheriff said he got out of a vehicle armed with a rifle and was fatally shot.
Reported by: Oklahoma Highway Patrol (Lt. Mark Southall) (outside investigators); Okfuskee County Sheriff Logan Manshack (the agency that held him); News On 6 (reporters).