PORTLAND, Ore. — The man who was killed by police Wednesday after a shooting in St. Helens and chase on Highway 30 was connected to the suspected killer of Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin DeRosier.
Michael Veatch, 32, was killed by a St. Helens officer during the chase.
Veatch was a known associate of Brian Butts, the man accused of killing Deputy DeRosier on April 13, 2019 in Cowlitz County. Veatch reportedly warned Butts that Deputy DeRosier was on his way before the fatal shooting in April.
DeRosier was dispatched to a disabled motor home blocking the roadway near the 100 block of Fallert Road, near Kalama River Road. He was shot after he arrived.
According to a May 25 report in The Columbian, DeRosier pulled over Veatch on his way to investigate the motor home and warned Veatch about a broken taillight on his vehicle. After the traffic stop, Veatch reportedly called Butts to warn him that DeRosier was coming.
Michael Veatch and his brother, Matthew, were arrested that night. Court records said Matthew helped Butts escape and hide his gun. Michael was arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Butts was shot and killed by two Kelso police officers on April 14.