Slain deputy’s car decorated day after shooting

Duncan Phenix
·3 min read

HILLSDALE, Mich. (WLNS) — In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon.

The department has identified the him as Deputy William Henry Butler Jr., 51, and placed his photo on the dashboard of his cruiser.

In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)
In front of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, deputies have parked and decorated the vehicle used by the deputy shot and killed Thursday afternoon. (WLNS)

Shortly after 2 p.m., the suspect of the shooting, Eric Michael Fiddler, opened fire on the deputy with a handgun and ran away during a traffic stop between Beecher Rd and Lamb Rd.

The incident led law enforcement on an hours-long search through rural woods and farmland.

Law enforcement employed multiple units including a search helicopter and K9 units in the following search, and found Fiddler walking near a field at around 6:15 p.m. MSP says their attempts to arrest Fiddler escalated.

“Deputy William Butler was a great police officer, a retired veteran of the Armed forces and a great friend to all,” Sheriff Scott B. Hodshire said in a statement. “William Butler will never be forgotten. I would like to thank all of the support from our local Police agencies that responded to the scene, MSP, ATF, DNR, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, Morenci Police, Somerset Police, Reading Police, Litchfield Police and others. I would also like to thank those that have flooded us with food and support. I am proud to have a great community in which I live in that comes together in times of tragedy. In the weeks and months ahead please keep the Butler Family in your prayers.”

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.