HART, Mich. — The Michigan State Police are mourning the loss of Trooper Paul Butterfield of the Hart Post, who was killed when he was shot during a traffic stop Monday evening.
Suspects were arrested a couple of hours later after exchanging gunfire with officers from several agencies; one of the suspects was wounded.
Michigan State Police Lt. Chris McIntire says it happened around 6:20 p.m Monday at North Custer Road and East Townline Road in Free Soil, which is northeast of Ludington in Mason County. A passerby found the trooper shortly after he was shot.
The trooper, who is a veteran of the force, was airlifted to Munson Hospital in critical condition but died during emergency surgery.
Around 8:30 p.m., two suspects, a man and a woman, were located at the Dublin Store in Manistee County, said Lt. McIntire. Gunfire was exchanged there, and one of the suspects was wounded. Lt. McIntire says both suspects were taken into custody, and the male was transported to the hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Trooper Butterfield had reported to dispatch that he had established a suspect during the stop, according to a late-night MSP release.
“Tonight we lost a hero,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “The entire MSP family, as well as our greater law enforcement family, mourns alongside the Butterfields. Trooper Butterfield’s sacrifice will never be forgotten; may he rest in peace.”
Trooper Butterfield joined MSP in 1999, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has served at the Manistee and Hart Posts. He was 43 years old, MSP tell FOX 17 that Butterfield’s father is also a retired state trooper.
