Local businesses look to help family of fallen deputy

HILLSDALE, Mich. (WLNS) – The community has started to pay respects to Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy William Butler, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop last Thursday.

Multiple police departments and sheriff’s office vehicles could be seen in the parking lot at the deputy’s visitation on Tuesday. Local businesses are also doing what they can to show support to Deputy Butler’s family.

Deputy Butler, known by many as Bill, was 51 years old and leaves behind 5 children. He also served in the Army National Guard.

6 News spent a day in Hillsdale County and people there said he was a community staple and touched many people’s hearts. Even neighboring counties are feeling the impact of losing Deputy Butler.

Planet Powersports, a motorcycle dealer, is one of many businesses fundraising for the Butler family. The General Sales Manager, Ted Avra, said they spent all of Saturday fundraising, raising more than $2,000. The business then matched it for a total of more than $4,000.

“This is a huge impact on the whole community. We just felt like it was the right thing to do. Bill was a customer of ours so it hit all of us a little close.,” said Avra. “Bill came in and bought a dirt bike for one of his children. It was a great interaction. Just being an officer and putting his life on the line for us, it’s a big deal.”

Planet Powersports will continue accepting donations until Saturday, July 6.

Over at the Oaks Tavern in Hillsdale County, workers are fundraising for the entire month of July.

Co-owner Adam Day said the hardest part for him in this tragedy is knowing Deputy Butler’s family won’t see him again. For the entire month of July, the tavern has made the “Billy Butler Bourbon Bacon Burger” their specialty burger.

All proceeds made from that burger will go to Deputy Butler’s family.

“I knew people that knew Billy very good. I contacted them to find out what Billy’s favorite burger was, and what I got back was—he was a bacon lover. His kids are bacon lovers. So they said anything with bacon. And so I just started thinking about it and I love the whole B thing. The Billy Butler Bourbon Bacon Burger,” Day said.

Day is also calling on restaurants all across the country to do something for police officers.

“Next week, we want to provide all our police that are on duty a free meal throughout the week. It’s just a little that we can do,” Day said.

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