Murdered police officer identified, details of Thursday shooting emerge

Lina Portman5 days ago

0 2 minutes read

HILLSDALE COUNTY — Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire has identified the deputy sheriff killed Thursday, June 27, in the line of duty as the deputy. William Butler Jr., 51 years old.

An updated news release issued by Michigan State Police Friday afternoon said an investigation remains ongoing.

According to police, a Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department detective sergeant noticed the driver of a vehicle with active warrants.

A Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office deputy sergeant conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Beecher Rd. near Lamb Rd. Thursday afternoon around 2:15 p.m. The vehicle was being driven by a 33-year-old man. Eric Michael Fiddler, 34, was a passenger in the vehicle.

Deputy William Butler Jr. arrived on scene to assist with the traffic stop, police said.

More: Deputy killed during traffic stop in Jefferson Township, suspect killed in shooting

The driver was taken into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant and placed in a patrol vehicle.

Fiddler, who had not yet been identified, refused to identify himself and was removed from the vehicle. Fiddler was later identified by one of the officers on scene. Officers attempted to arrest him when a fight broke out.

During the fight, Fiddler pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired, striking Butler. Deputies returned fire and Fiddler fled on foot.

Deputies immediately placed Butler in their patrol car and took him to Hillsdale Hospital where he died of his injuries.

Officers from multiple agencies converged on the area to search for Fiddler and establish a perimeter. At approximately 6:15 p.m., officers located Fiddler in a field near Culbert Rd and Osseo Rd S.

Fiddler was ordered to surrender and fired a gun at the soldiers who then returned fire, killing Fiddler. No soldiers were injured during the engagement. The MSP First District Investigations Section is leading the investigation into the shooting of Deputy Butler. MSP 5th District Special Investigation Unit Leads Investigation into Eric Fiddler Shooting

Butler served as a deputy sheriff for a total of 12 years. He left the department earlier in life to serve his country in the Michigan Army National Guard and returned as a highway patrol deputy after his military retirement.

Hillsdale County Prosecutor Neal Brady confirmed Friday morning that Fiddler had an active arrest warrant for theft under $200, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

In 2018, Fiddler was convicted of drug use and resisting arrest and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

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Butler's funeral will be held Wednesday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at Christ Chapel on the Hillsdale College campus, with Jeremiah Hodshire officiating. Intermittent burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Hillsdale.

A fund in the name of the Butler family has been established at the Hillsdale County Community Foundation for those wishing to donate to the family.

Butler leaves behind a wife and three young children.

— Contact reporter Corey Murray at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.

Lina Portman

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