Photo of the thin blue line flag stolen from Trooper Butterfield's memorial site. (Courtesy: Michigan State Police)

MASON COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU)-- A 'thin blue line' flag was stolen from the memorial site dedicated to Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield.

The flag was stolen sometime over the weekend at the memorial site on North Custer Road in Free Soil Township.

Trooper Butterfield worked for the Michigan State Police Hart post. He was shot in the head during a traffic stop in 2013. He died at the hospital during emergency surgery.

Eric Knysz was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Trooper Butterfield. Knysz killed himself in prison in 2014.

The 'thin blue line' is a symbol used by law enforcement to pay tribute to fallen and to show support for the living law enforcement officers.

State Police say the theft of the flag was reported Sunday.

The incident remains under investigation.



