Hillsdale County Deputy Killed in Line of Duty Identified

(WSYM) – A Hillsdale County sheriff's deputy was attending a traffic stop when he was fatally shot Thursday in Jefferson Township, according to the sheriff.

Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire said William Butler Jr., 51, was the deputy killed in the line of duty.

**WATCH: Full interview with Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire**

SHERIFF SCOTT HODSHIRE COMPLETE

According to the sheriff, a Hillsdale County deputy sergeant responded to a call near Beecher and Lamb roads around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Police say the detective sergeant drove by a car and noticed the driver with active arrest warrants. The deputy sergeant stopped the car. Deputy William Butler heard the call for help and went to the scene.

The passenger in the car refused to give his name or any other information. However, upon further investigation, the deputy sergeant identified the passenger as Eric Fiddler, 34, of Jonesville.

MSP

Fiddler also had warrants out for his arrest.

According to police, officers attempted to arrest Fiddler and a fight broke out. The deputy sergeant pulled out a Taser to subdue Fiddler, but was unsuccessful.

Fiddler pulled a gun from his waistband, shot Deputy Butler, then fled the scene.

The sheriff said a nearby deputy heard the call for shots fired, responded to the scene and took Butler to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Hillsdale County sheriff's deputy and suspect dead after officer-involved shooting
Michigan State Police tracked Fiddler to a field about two miles from the original scene near Culbert and Osseo Roads around 6:15 p.m.

The MSP said Fiddle opened fire on police, and the troopers returned fire and killed Fiddler.

**WATCH: In our original Thursday night story, law enforcement officials detail events that led to deadly shooting**

Hillsdale County Police Officer Involved Shooting

According to Hodshire, Butler was a great police officer and veteran of the armed forces.

Hodshire asked the public to keep the Butler family in their thoughts in the coming weeks.

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