Candlelight Vigil in Memory of Slain Hillsdale Deputy Sheriff

Lina Portman3 days ago

0 2 minutes read

HILLSDALE — About 150 residents gathered at the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office Thursday, July 4, for a candlelight vigil honoring Deputy Bill Butler, who died in the line of duty Thursday, June 27.

Rondee Butcher hosted the service and greeted those in attendance as they gathered to mourn and celebrate Butler's life the day after his burial in Hillsdale.

She said the impact Butler has had on so many people was reflected in the outpouring of support for his family and those in the community who came out last week to show their support for the entire Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office.

As tragic as Butler's death is, it united the community in an unwavering show of love and support for our law enforcement, Butcher said.

As residents began to fill the sheriff's office parking lot, they slowly began to make their way to the sheriff's office sign that has become an on-site memorial to lay flowers and take a moment of silence to pay their respects.

Butler was shot while trying to arrest Eric Michael Fiddler, 34, on an arrest warrant.

According to police, a Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department detective sergeant noticed the driver of a vehicle with active warrants on Thursday, June 27.

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. Fiddler was a passenger in the vehicle.

Butler arrived at the scene to assist with the traffic stop, police said.

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, hitting Butler. The officers 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.

Subscribe now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

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

Fiddler was ordered to surrender and fired on troopers who returned fire, killing Fiddler. No troopers were injured during the engagement. The MSP First District Investigations Section is investigating the shooting of Deputy Butler. The MSP Fifth District Special Investigations Section is investigating the shooting of Eric Fiddler

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.

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

Lina Portman

Related Articles

Lawrence man sentenced for aggravated assault in 2023

Shooting in Rochester Hills: at least eight injured, suspect commits suicide

Maliwal Swati alleged assault case: Bibhav to approach High Court following rejection of bail

'Memorial to corporate greed': Solar farm to be built near Exmoor after appeal