Dead suspect in Cowlitz deputy slaying ID’ed

The suspect in the shooting death of a Cowlitz County Sheriff’s deputy has been identified as the half-brother of a convicted police chief killer, multiple news outlets reported Monday.

Cowlitz County Sheriff Brad Thurman announced April 15 that the suspect in the death of deputy Justin Derosier was identified by the county coroner as Brian Butts, 33.

Butts died in an officer-involved shooting April 14 on Spencer Creek Road in Kalama following a manhunt that began when Derosier was killed, reportedly at the hands of Butts, the day prior during an abandoned vehicle investigation near Kalama River Road.

Multiple regional news outlets reported that Brian Butts was the half-brother of Daniel Butts, who was sentenced to life in prison in March for killing Rainier, Oregon police chief Ralph Painter in 2011.

Clark County Sheriff’s Sergeant Brent Waddell said in an April 15 press conference that two others have been arrested in connection of the April 13 shooting — Matthew and Michael Veatch. KATU News reported that the Veatches, who are brothers, were involved with helping Brian Butts elude officers following the shooting.

Waddell said that Matthew Veatch was booked for first-degree rendering of criminal assistance while Michael Veatch was arrested on an unrelated Washington State Department of Corrections warrant.

On Monday, a law enforcement motorcade processed from Vancouver, where Derosier was pronounced dead, to a Kelso funeral home. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office noted that plans for a public funeral ceremony for the deputy was in the works but a time and place was unconfirmed as of noon Wednesday.

Following Derosier’s death, a memorial fund for the deputy’s funeral expenses was set up. On April 17 Red Leaf Coffee locations in Longview, Kelso, and Woodland donated 20 percent of their sales to Derosier’s family. A community Facebook group, Cowlitz County News, has coordinated a “Back the Blue” gathering at R.A. Long Park in Longview April 19 at 6:15 p.m.

For more background click the link below: 

{{tncms-inline content="<p dir="ltr">• The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office announced the establishment of a memorial fund for Derosier’s family April 17, to cover funeral expenses. The sheriff’s office provided account information as well as options to make donations either in person or by mail:</p> <p dir="ltr">Account Name:  Deputy Justin DeRosier Memorial Fund</p> <p dir="ltr">Account Number:  153569437830</p> <p dir="ltr">Routing Number:  125000105</p> <p dir="ltr"> • In-person donations can be made at the Cowlitz County Administrative Building, 207 N 4th Ave.</p> <p dir="ltr">Room 308, Kelso, WA 98626.</p> <p dir="ltr">• Mailed donations can be sent to:</p> <p dir="ltr">Cowlitz County</p> <p dir="ltr">Attn:  KayLee McKay</p> <p dir="ltr">Administrative Building</p> <p dir="ltr">207 N 4th Ave., Room 308</p> <p dir="ltr">Kelso WA 98626</p>" id="841a2036-21ab-44ef-a001-d82c4f7e8478" style-type="bio" title="Justin Derosier Memorial Fund" type="relcontent"}}