Thieves steal disabled military veteran's handcycle
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RENTON, Wash. -- A Renton man who has dedicated his life to helping others now needs his own help.
Ernie Butler is confined to a wheelchair, but he rides what's called a handcycle to raise money for charity. Someone stole that cycle recently, and now Butler is on a mission to get it back.
Butler is a veteran, serving as an Air Force pararescueman, which is an elite group among the military's special forces.
Butler and his fellow pararescuemen were trained to rescue downed pilots behind enemy lines, and during his career he is credited with saving countless lives.
For years, he's headed a non-profit organization that helps fellow veterans. His story of giving started 18-years ago with a skydiving accident.
"Somebody ran into the front leading edge of my canopy, got entangled in it and I went into a high speed, high 'G' turn," Butler said of his accident. "I kind of ran into the planet going way too fast."
Butler hit the ground hard, and the impact crushed his spinal chord and left him with a host of broken bones.
"I had about 200 different fractures," he said.
But, as fate would have it, Butler's accident and the months of painful rehab he endured also led him to handcycling.
"I had a 5-year-old daughter at the time and I thought it would be fun to get a bike and learn how to ride it," he said.
Over the years, Butler has raised thousands of dollars for several charities using the handcycle. He had no plans of slowing down, either, until he returned to his house several weeks ago and noticed his garage door was unlocked and his handcycle was missing.
Butler counts on the cycle to raise money, and he's not sure what he'll do without it.
"It was an important part of my life," he said. "I'd kind of like to get it back."
One of the charities Butler helps every year organizes handcycle rides for paralyzed children. He's hoping his own cycle turns up soon so he can get back to work. It is uniquely fitted to his body, so it is of little use to anyone else.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Renton Police Department.
Ernie Butler is confined to a wheelchair, but he rides what's called a handcycle to raise money for charity. Someone stole that cycle recently, and now Butler is on a mission to get it back.
Butler is a veteran, serving as an Air Force pararescueman, which is an elite group among the military's special forces.
Butler and his fellow pararescuemen were trained to rescue downed pilots behind enemy lines, and during his career he is credited with saving countless lives.
For years, he's headed a non-profit organization that helps fellow veterans. His story of giving started 18-years ago with a skydiving accident.
"Somebody ran into the front leading edge of my canopy, got entangled in it and I went into a high speed, high 'G' turn," Butler said of his accident. "I kind of ran into the planet going way too fast."
Butler hit the ground hard, and the impact crushed his spinal chord and left him with a host of broken bones.
"I had about 200 different fractures," he said.
But, as fate would have it, Butler's accident and the months of painful rehab he endured also led him to handcycling.
"I had a 5-year-old daughter at the time and I thought it would be fun to get a bike and learn how to ride it," he said.
Over the years, Butler has raised thousands of dollars for several charities using the handcycle. He had no plans of slowing down, either, until he returned to his house several weeks ago and noticed his garage door was unlocked and his handcycle was missing.
Butler counts on the cycle to raise money, and he's not sure what he'll do without it.
"It was an important part of my life," he said. "I'd kind of like to get it back."
One of the charities Butler helps every year organizes handcycle rides for paralyzed children. He's hoping his own cycle turns up soon so he can get back to work. It is uniquely fitted to his body, so it is of little use to anyone else.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Renton Police Department.
Maybe the criminals that stolethis bike should have their legs broken.
Find them, then cut their @%^&@%@ Hands off.
This is by far the lowest thing a person can do to someone. It is my hope that karma takes effect so that when this thief himself becomes disabled, the veteran's take him out.Â
 @Gary Geater Rotten thing to do for sure but do we know for sure whoever stole it knew who it belonged to specifically a disabled person?
Displaying yet again how thieves continually lower the bar for humanity.
Anyone know if there is a donation fund to help out?
The thieves are toast. Even if they give it back, they're toast. Every veteran in the country is now looking for this bicycle. And when they find it, it ain't gonna be pretty!
How much would you bet they try to see it on Craigslist? If not Seattle then Portland. The IQ of criminals these days is pretty low so it should be an easy catch. And then make sure they remember it (even if they are high on whatever.) If they are methheads help their rotted teeth loosen up a bit more.
@Chico That's how they caught the thieves that broke into a friend's house. A few days later, he saw all his stuff up on Craigslist.  Needless to say, he got most of his stuff back and the methhead was arrested.
 @Chico Yes thats true. Do you recall the stolen bicycle recovery "sting operation"? http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Portland-man-sets-up-Seattle-sting-operation-to-retrieve-stolen-bike-166221456.html
Sell it.
Yeah we just have to have some stupid bastard out there to steal absolutely anything. I can't believe how much this happens now.
My thanks to you Mr Butler. I hope your bike is returned soon or a replacement found.
Man, do we have more d-bags per capita than any other place? Sure seems like it sometimes. Â Hope that he's able to get the cycle back, or can raise funds for another one. Â I'm confused though... why didn't his home insurance cover that? Â
Steal a bike brings you Krama, Steal a bike from a disabled person, brings double the Karma, but to steal a bike from a disable person who raised money for charities with it, brings on a Krama that no one can imagine and Krama"s mom. I think you will be much better off if you just return it.Â
What is it lately with thieves stealing equipment from disabled people in the recent weeks. Twice in Tacoma area and now in Renton?
 @DarkRenegade Thieves steal from everyone.  The media only cares when it's a sympathetic victim.  You won't hear about a Segway scooter being stolen from a Microsoft employee, for example.  And since the citizenry generally is against laws, especially property laws, being enforced, the police are disempowered.
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If Romney or Palin had an irreplacable life-saving pacemaker and thieves stole it, do you think you'd see sympathy from the local media... or cheers?
 @TCat   ummm what?Â
Give it back..... It isn't worth the bad karma....
Is the bike in the foreground of the picture his? If so, it is distinctive enough that someone should be able to spot it.
Hopefully some tweakers don't cut it up & try to sell it for scrap. Thieves are worthless.
Good luck to Mr Butler. He sounds like a wonderful man & a true hero. I hope he gets his cycle back undamaged.
Meaningless theft. These petty thieves have no honor and do not know sacrifice. If there is a link to help Butler with a new bike please post it.