A Michigan deputy is fatally shot during a traffic stop. It is the second such loss within a week

OSSEO, Mich. (AP) — A deputy was shot and killed during a rural traffic stop, making him the second Michigan deputy killed on the job in less than a week. Police said the suspect was later shot while exchanging gunfire with officers.

The Hillsdale County Sheriff’s deputy who was shot Thursday afternoon died at a hospital, Michigan State Police said. His name was not released until relatives were notified.

After the shooting, the suspect, Eric Michael Fiddler, fled on foot into a nearby wooded area about 2 miles east of the small southern Michigan community of Osseo, police said.

After an hours-long manhunt, officers found Fiddler around 6:15 p.m. in a field more than a mile from where the deputy was shot. He was ordered to surrender, but instead fired at the officers, who returned fire. Fiddler was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a post on social media platform X.

State police said Thursday evening that they would release more information on Friday. The agency said on X that it was “heartbroken” by the death of the deputy, who “is the second police officer killed this week while serving the people of Michigan.”

Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley J. Reckling was fatally shot Saturday while pursuing a suspected stolen vehicle in Detroit. Detroit police said three people were arrested.