Hillsdale honors sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty

HILLSDALE, Michigan – At least 100 people gathered for a vigil outside the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office on July 4 to remember Deputy William Butler, who was killed in the line of duty on June 27.

The sheriff’s office was Butler’s home base while he served and protected the area. The 51-year-old was shot during a traffic stop in Jefferson Township.

RELATED TOPICS: Hillsdale community comes together to celebrate life of deputy killed in the line of duty

During the vigil, friends, family, colleagues and even community members who did not know Butler well spoke highly of him and called him a hero.

He had a wife and five children and participants said he was a family man.

Before serving as a Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy, Butler served the country for 20 years in the Army National Guard.

To support his family in their grief, the community came together and raised more than $14,000 through a T-shirt fundraiser.

One of Butler’s cousins, Brian Lopez, told WTOL 11 that the deputy’s death was a great loss to his loved ones and Hillsdale County as a whole and that he will not be forgotten.

“I love my cousin,” Lopez said. “He was in the military and I lived in other states. We weren’t close. We still loved our family members and relatives and I wish this tragedy hadn’t happened.”

The community plans to hold several more events to commemorate Butler.

There will be a Deputy Butler Poker Run on July 7th at the Hillsdale Fairgrounds. Registration begins at 10am and the event starts at noon.

A memorial golf outing will be held at White Oaks Golf Course on September 7. The date has not yet been announced.