Hillsdale County Sheriff's Deputy Killed in Shootout. Suspect Fatally Shot Hours Later.

Eric Michael Fiddler

A Hillsdale County sheriff's deputy was killed Thursday afternoon in a shootout with a suspect who was fatally shot a couple hours later during a confrontation with troopers, Michigan State Police said in a social media posting on X.

State Police said the deputy, whose name was not immediately being released, got into a confrontation with the suspect, Eric Michael Fiddler, in Jefferson Township around Beecher Road and Lamb Road, around 4 p.m. He died later from his injuries.

Around 6:15 p.m., troopers found Fiddler in a field near Culbert Road and Osseo Road South in Adams Township, in Hillsdale County. 

"Fiddler was instructed to surrender and produced  a weapon and fired on troopers," state police said. "Troopers returned fire and Fiddler was pronounced deceased on scene."

More information is expected to be released later today.