Roll of Honor
William Butler, Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Butler was shot and killed while assisting another deputy with a traffic stop near the intersection of Beecher and Lamb Road in Jefferson Township around 2:30 p.m.
The driver had warrants out for his arrest and did not cooperate with the deputies. During the struggle, the subject pulled out a gun, striking Deputy Butler before fleeing on foot.
Deputy Butler was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject was found about two miles away several hours later. When he fired on troopers, they returned fire, killing the subject.
Deputy Butler was a United States Army National Guard Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and had served with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, five children, parents, sister, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-69EB7277- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Butler gave the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsdale community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Butler, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Butler, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Butler, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Butler, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Butler, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
