Michigan House Passes Bill to Rename M-34 for Fallen Hillsdale Deputy

The Michigan House of Representatives has passed a bill to rename a portion of highway M-34 in Hillsdale County as the 'Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. Memorial Highway' to honor Deputy Butler, who was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in June 2024. The bill, introduced by State Senator Joseph Bellino, now awaits Governor Gretchen Whitmer's signature and would designate the stretch between Pioneer Road and South Pittsford Road. Deputy Butler, an Iraq War veteran and 12-year law enforcement officer, is remembered for his humility and dedication to service, with his widow Sarah Butler sharing his philosophy of kindness and support. The highway markers would be funded privately as required by state law. In a similar move in Ohio, State Representative Joseph Miller plans to introduce legislation to rename a section of State Route 6 as the 'Officer Phillip Wagner Memorial Highway,' honoring another fallen officer from Lorain. These efforts reflect communities' desires to memorialize law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.