No charges will be filed against Michigan State Police troopers who shot and killed a wanted fugitive.
On June 27, 2024, MSP Troopers engaged in a gunfight with Jonesville fugitive Eric Michael Fiddler, 34. Fiddler was pursued by police after allegedly shooting and killing a Hillsdale County deputy during a traffic check.
Fiddler was charged with fatally shooting Deputy William Henry Butler Jr., 51.
According to Michigan State Police, on June 27, 2024, a detective sergeant from the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office located a car driven by somebody who had active warrants. They apprehended the car’s driver and placed him in a patrol car. Fiddler was among the passengers in the vehicle. An officer on the scene quickly recognized Fiddler, despite his initial refusal to identify himself. The encounter led to a brief gunfight before Fiddler ran away. This shooting is what will kill Deputy Butler.
Police scoured the area and discovered Fiddler hiding in a field shortly afterwards. Police found him lying on the ground behind a wall and requested that he display his hands. Instead, Fiddler produced a gun. Another gunfight would break out, this time leaving Fiddler dead.
According to officials, Fiddler died while holding a 9mm pistol. According to post-death reports, Fiddler had high quantities of meth in his system.
MSP policy requires that all officer-involved shootings be investigated by other districts. The Attorney General’s Office then took over the matter, but it declined to press charges.
“Here, under all of the facts and circumstances presented, the Department concluded the MSP troopers acted in self-defense and defense of fellow officers and did not act in a manner that would substantiate criminal charges. The Department of Attorney General is available to lead or support any investigation of an officer-involved shooting at the request of any county prosecutor or law enforcement agency within the state and today renews this commitment and offer,” the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.