Tri-City celebrity turns 50. Woo-hoo! Come say hi

Woo-hoo! The Tri-City Americans’ superfan has turned 50, and he had a big birthday party

Jimmy Butcher has been recognized several times over the years, even to the point of getting his own bobblehead.

He also was honored Friday at the Old Country Buffet near the Columbia Center mall in Kennewick.

Police Chief Ken Hohenberg — one of Butcher’s biggest fans — and his command staff bestowed Butcher with the Chief’s Award of Excellence.

The award is in recognition of Butcher’s years of volunteerism and community spirit.

Butcher is known around the Tri-Cities as more than just the Americans’ best fan and cheerleader (who also sings).

He has:

• volunteered as a crossing guard for Kennewick schools,
• reads to children,
• been given a Red Cross award for service,
• helped Babe Ruth youth baseball,
• and several other honors, including from Kennewick police.

Butcher, who is a self-described slow learner, works at Albertson’s part-time bagging groceries.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Tri-City celebrity turns 50. Woo-hoo! Come say hi."