HILLSDALE, Mich. — Late Wednesday morning, Hillsdale laid to rest a deputy who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Deputy William "Bill" Henry Butler Jr., 51, was shot during a traffic stop in Jefferson Township last week.
Deputy Butler's wife and five children were surrounded by friends, family and law enforcement officers as they laid him to rest Wednesday.
For 20 years, Butler served in the Army National Guard and did a tour overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later in life, he worked as a recruiter.
"Bill lived his life in service to others, always willing to lend a helping hand and showing up for those he loved," his obituary reads. "He enjoyed fishing, boating, working out, traveling with his family, trips to the casino, and spending time with his children and grandchildren."
"Deputy William Butler was a great police officer, a retired veteran of the Armed forces and a friend to all," Sheriff Scott Hodshire said. "William Butler will never be forgotten."
Sheriff Hodshire asked the community to keep the Butler family in their prayers.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks instead for contributions to be made to the Bill and Sarah Butler account at Fifth Third Bank or the Deputy Bill Butler Family Fund c/o the Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
The funeral service began at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Christ Chapel in Hillsdale College. You can watch the live stream below.
WATCH: Funeral service for William “Bill” Butler Jr.
Deputy Butler was backing up another law enforcement officer during a traffic stop in rural Hillsdale County.
Authorities said the passenger inside the stopped car refused to identify himself, but law enforcement identified him as 34-year-old Eric Michael Fiddler from Jonesville.
That's when deputies learned he had warrants out for his arrest, and when they tried to arrest him, a fight broke out.
The Detective Sergeant, the other law enforcement officer working the stop, tried to use his taser to subdue Fiddler but it didn't work.
The sheriff's department said Fiddler took out a gun from his waistband and shot Deputy Butler.
Another deputy rushed Deputy Butler to the hospital where he later died.
Fiddler was at large for some time, but authorities eventually tracked him down about 2 miles from where the initial shooting happened.
When approached, Michigan State Police said the suspect shot at officers, with law enforcement returning fire.
Fiddler was shot and killed.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared her condolences with the family and the department.
"My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of Sheriff’s Deputy William Butler, who was killed while serving the communities of Hillsdale County. Dedicated officers like Deputy Butler work hard every day to keep Michiganders safe and his sacrifice will not be forgotten," Gov. Whitmer said.
Numerous law enforcement agencies across Michigan have shared somber messages about the loss of Deputy Butler.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.