Courtesy: Corey Murray / Hillsdale Daily News
HILLSDALE — Around 150 residents gathered Thursday, July 4, at the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office for a candlelight vigil organized for slain sheriff’s who died in the line of duty Thursday, June 27.
Rondee Butcher organized the service and welcomed those in attendance as they gathered to mourn and celebrate Butler’s life the day after he was laid to rest in Hillsdale.
Residents lay flowers at the foot of the sheriff’s office sign and take a moment to of silence to pay their respects to Dep. Bill Butler.
She said the impact Butler had on so many people was reflected in the overwhelming support given to his family and those in the community who have turned out over the last week to show their support to the entire Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office.
As tragic as Butler’s death was, it has united the community in an unwavering show of love and support for our law enforcement, Butcher said.
Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Sgt. Casey Donihue attended the candlelit vigil outside of the sheriff’s office July 4.
As residents began to fill the sheriff’s office parking lot, they slowly began to make their way to the sheriff’s office sign which has become an onsite memorial to lay flowers and take a moment of silence to pay their respects.
Butler was shot and killed when attempting to arrest Eric Michael Fiddler, 34, on a warrant.
According to police, a detective sergeant from the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department noticed the driver of a vehicle with active warrants Thursday, June 27.
A deputy sergeant with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office initiated 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 male. Fiddler was a passenger in the vehicle.
Butler arrived on scene to assist with the traffic stop, police said.
The driver was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant and placed in a patrol vehicle.
Fiddler, who had yet to be identified, refused to identify himself and was removed from the vehicle. Fiddler was then identified by one of the officers on scene. Deputies attempted to take Fiddler into custody when a fight ensued.
During the fight Fiddler produced a handgun from his waistband and fired, striking Butler. Deputies returned fire at which time Fiddler fled on foot.
Deputies immediately placed Butler in their patrol car and took him to Hillsdale Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Officers from numerous agencies converged on the area in search of Fiddler and to setup a perimeter. At approximately 6:15 p.m. troopers located Fiddler in a field near Culbert Rd and Osseo Rd S.
Fiddler was ordered to surrender and fired a weapon at troopers who then returned fire killing Fiddler. No troopers were injured during the engagement. The MSP First District Investigations Section is conducting the investigation into the shooting of Deputy Butler. The MSP 5th District Special Investigation Section is conducting the investigation into the shooting of Eric Fiddler
Butler had served as a deputy sheriff for 12 years in total. He left the department earlier on in his life to serve his country in the Michigan Army National Guard and returned as a road patrol deputy after his military retirement.
— Contact Reporter Corey Murray atcmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.