Michigan State Police Trooper Dies After Shootout In Mason County

The Michigan State Police has confirmed the death of a trooper from injuries in a shooting during a Mason County traffic stop Monday evening. The trooper, identified as Paul Butterfield of the Hart Post of the MSP, died during emergency surgery at Munson Hospital in Traverse City.

In a news release, Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan state police 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.

Officials say that a man and woman were taken into custody after an exchange of gunfire with police in Dublin, MI.  The man was taken to the hospital with a non-life threatening injury.

Trooper Butterfield joined the Michigan State Police in 1999, and had served at the Hart and Manistee posts.  He was also a U.S. Army veteran.

Tuesday morning, Gov. Rick Snyder released the following statement:

This senseless incident is a grim reminder that our brave public safety officers put their lives on the line every day when they go to work protecting Michiganders. They are heroes.

Our hearts break when a Michigan State Police trooper, or any of our other police officers or firefighters, is killed in the line of duty. Their loss is unquestionably felt by their families as well as the communities they serve and our entire state. We realize the extraordinary difficulty of their jobs and the sacrifices they make for us.

A tragic event like this shakes us all, but it also bolsters our resolve to make our streets and our neighborhoods safer.

We thank Trooper Butterfield for his bravery, his service and his sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, friends, and colleagues.

The thoughts and prayers of all of us here at Channel 957 go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Trooper Butterfield. May he rest in peace.