DeRosier killed on duty: County pays tribute to former deputy

Blue ribbons were tied in front of the courthouse Monday morning in tribute for Cowlitz County Deputy Justin DeRosier who was fatally shot while on duty Saturday night.

DeRosier, 29, a 2012 WSU graduate, served three years with the Whitman County Sheriff's office as a reserve deputy and deputy before going to the Cowlitz County Sheriff's office in 2016.

DeRosier was shot after 10 p.m. Saturday when he responded to a report of an RV blocking a roadway in the Kalama area. The deputy was taken to a hospital in Vancouver where he died of the wound.

Commissioner Art Swannack Monday issued a decree that all flags on county buildings be flown at half mast in tribute to the deputy who served here. The flags will be at half mast until after DeRosier's funeral.

Many officers here plan to attend the rites.

DeRosier is survived by a wife and infant daughter.

A man suspected of fatally shooting DeRosier was fatally shot Sunday by Kelso officers who responded to a report of a suspicious person coming out of the woods near where DeRosier was shot. The Cowlitz County coroner identified the man as Brian D. Butts, 23, Longview.

According to a report from Kelso, the RV was registered to Butts' mother, and he was believed to be in possession of it at the time DeRosier responded to the scene Saturday night.

DeRosier is believed to be the first deputy to die in the line of duty for Cowlitz County.