This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Myton city officials confirmed Tuesday they will begin to search for a new police chief in the wake of a slew of misdemeanor stalking charges being filed against the top cop for the eastern Utah town of 537.
City Attorney Amy Hugie said Police Chief Thomas Butterfield, hired to run the Duchesne County's police force in July, was terminated Thursday during a meeting with Mayor Kathleen Cooper.
Sgt. Tim Mellor, who had been the town's part-time, reserve police officer, was appointed interim chief. Hugie said one other reserve officer serves Myton public safety needs.
Butterfield, 44, was charged last month in Duchesne County's 8th District Court with three counts of stalking, involving three different women; one count of criminal trespass and one count of unlawful detention — all misdemeanors.
Court records initially lack specific allegations involved with the stalking claims, and Hugie said she could not, under personnel policy, discuss the reason for Butterfield's firing.
A preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 8.
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