A lifelong Virginian, John F. Butler first came to Norfolk through the Navy in 2012. He quickly came to see how welcoming this city is and what a beautiful and wonderful place Norfolk is to raise a family and he and his wife chose to make Norfolk their home.
John is a former federal prosecutor, and the former Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia’s Norfolk Division. Previously, he was an Assistant Attorney General under former Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy JAG Corps, he continues to serve as a Commander in the Navy Reserves Judiciary Unit. Now, he is running for Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney to build a safer, stronger Norfolk – because everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter who they are or where they come from.
John’s passion for public service began in college when he interned at the White House under President Bill Clinton. There, he saw firsthand how the right leadership can improve people’s lives and shape communities for the better. He was also a staffer on Al Gore’s presidential campaign, where he witnessed the power of civic engagement in action.
John went on to attend Georgetown law school and commissioned as an officer in the Navy JAG Corps, where he prosecuted and defended hundreds of cases. He was named the Navy’s Prosecutor of the Year and served eight years on active duty, including a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He continues to serve as a Commander and Judge in the Navy Reserves.
After leaving active duty, he dedicated the next decade to prosecuting some of the region’s most serious violent crimes as a federal prosecutor. President Biden's Attorney General, Merrick Garland, recognized John's work with the John Marshall Award, which is the Department’s highest award presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance.
As Managing Assistant United States Attorney, he led major cases and secured convictions against those responsible for the killing of Norfolk resident Lillian Bond, dismantling leaders of the Nine Trey Gangsters, and prosecuting Dr. Javaid Perwaiz.
He also took on leadership roles in crime prevention, serving as the Eastern District of Virginia’s Project Safe Neighborhoods coordinator, where he partnered with community leaders to prevent violent crime, and led the Hampton Roads Opioid Working Group, which helped reduce opioid overdoses in the region.
The mission of making a community safe and bringing justice to victims inspired him to take on a new challenge – running for Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, where he can focus on serving the community where he raises his daughters.
John is running for Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney to help make Norfolk a Safe and Thriving city. He will put public safety ahead of politics, professionalize and depoliticize the office, work with the community to strengthen violence intervention and prevention programs, create pathways for restorative justice, and above all, put law-abiding citizens and victims first.
