HILLSDALE, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – Hillsdale County Sheriff Scott Hodshire says 51-year-old William Butler, Junior was the deputy who was shot to death in the line of duty on Thursday afternoon.
Hodshire says Butler was assisting with a traffic stop when he was fatally shot.
According to the sheriff, Butler heard a call for assistance during a traffic stop at Beecher and Lamb Roads southeast of Hillsdale and responded.
The car’s passenger, who was identified 34-year-old Eric Fiddler of Jonesville, did not co-operate during the traffic stop. There were warrants out for his arrest.
A fight eventually broke out between Fiddler and the two deputies. An attempt to Taser Fiddler failed and he eventually pulled out a handgun and shot Butler who later died at a nearby hospital.
Fiddler ran from the scene. He was considered to be armed and dangerous during the search for him which included the Sheriff’s Department, State Police K-9’s and a State Police airplane.
Fiddler was at large for several hours before the Michigan State Police said he was found in a field in the area of Culbert and Osseo Roads at around 6:15 p.m..
Authorities say Fiddler was ordered to surrender but he fired on State Troopers. They returned fire and shot Fiddler who was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s the first time since 1930 a Hillsdale County police officer has died in the line of duty.
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