HILLSDALE, Mich. — At least 100 people came to a vigil at the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office on the Fourth of July to commemorate sheriff's deputy William Butler, who was killed in the line of duty on June 27.
The sheriff's office was Butler's home base as he served and protected the area. The 51-year-old was shot during a traffic stop in Jefferson Township.
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During the vigil, friends, family, co-workers and even community members who didn’t know Butler well spoke highly of him and described him as a hero.
He had a wife and five children and attendees say he was a family man.
Before serving Hillsdale County as a deputy, Butler served the country in the Army National Guard for 20 years.
To help support his family as they grieve, the community has come together and raised more than $14,000 through a shirt fundraiser.
One of Butler's cousins, Brian Lopez, told WTOL 11 the deputy's death is a massive loss for his loved ones and Hillsdale County as a whole, and he won't be forgotten.
"I love my cousin," Lopez said. "He spent his time in the military and I was living states away. We didn’t have a close relationship. We still had the love for family members and relatives and I wish this tragedy wouldn’t have happened."
The community plans to hold a few more events to remember Butler.
A Deputy Butler Poker run will happen at the Hillsdale Fairgrounds on July 7. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the event begins at noon.
A Memorial Golf Outing at the White Oaks Golf Course will be held on Sept. 7. The time has not been released yet.