Deputy fatally shot during traffic stop was armed forces veteran, father of 5, sheriff says
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP., Mich. (WTVG/Gray News) - A deputy in Michigan is dead and the man who allegedly shot him was killed in a shootout with police.
Deputy William Henry Butler Jr., 51, was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop on Thursday for the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office.
According to authorities, Butler ended up getting shot by a passenger in the vehicle, later identified as 34-year-old Michael Eric Fiddler, after a fight broke out when a detective was trying to arrest him.
“Deputy William Butler was a great police officer, a retired veteran of the armed forces and a great friend to all,” a statement from the sheriff’s office said. “William Butler will never be forgotten.”
Butler was a husband and father of five, according to Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire. He served with the department for 12 years.
“I am proud to have a great community in which I live that comes together in times of tragedy,” Hodshire shared. “In the weeks and months ahead please keep the Butler family in your prayers.”
The department said the last time it had a law enforcement official die in the line of duty was in 1939.
“It’s not a high crime county and this joker that shot my deputy had two warrants,” Hodshire said. “He ends up taking the life of one of my deputies who has five kids and a wife ... That’s sad to know there are people out there like that.”
The sheriff said he’s known Butler for 25 years and the entire department is grieving the loss.
Michigan’s Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her heart goes out to Butler’s family.
“Dedicated officers like Deputy Butler work hard every day to keep Michiganders safe, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Whitmer shared on social media.
The services for Butler are expected to be held at Hillsdale College sometime next week while the Hillsdale County Community Foundation is accepting donations to help the family.
Hodshire said Fiddler was shot and killed in a field later that night after an hours-long manhunt ended in a shootout.
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