Michigan State Police Trooper Shot and Killed During Traffic Stop

A Michigan State Police (MSP) trooper was shot and killed during a traffic stop Monday night.

According to the MSP, Trooper Paul Butterfield of the Hart post stopped a vehicle in Mason County at 6:20 p.m. At 6:23 p.m. a passing motorist called 911 to report finding Butterfield on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. Butterfield was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he passed away during emergency surgery.

Director of the Michigan State Police Col. Krist Kibbey Etue said "tonight we lost a hero. 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."

Based on information Butterfield relayed to dispatch about the vehicle he stopped, a suspect was developed. Through a series of incidents in the area, law enforcement located the suspects at a gas station convenience store in Manistee County at around 8:30 p.m. Officers from sveral agencies who were assisting with the search exchanged gunfire with the suspects, resulting in one suspect being shot.

Two suspects, a male and female, were taken into custody. The male was transported to the hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Trooper Butterfield joined the MSP in 1999. He had served at the Manistee and Hart posts and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

No additional information has been released due to ongoing investigations.