PORTLAND, Ore. — Cowlitz County honored a fallen deputy on Friday by dedicating a section of a highway to Cowlitz County Sheriff's Deputy Justin DeRosier on the five-year anniversary of his death.
DeRosier was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 13, 2019. He was checking on a complaint about a motorhome blocking a driveway near Kalama when he was shot. He died in the hospital a short while later.
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A sign that reads "Cowlitz County Sheriff's Deputy Justin DeRosier Memorial Highway" now stands outside the Cowlitz County Hall along State Route 411. The Washington state legislature approved the memorial highway in May 2023. It stretches from milepost 1.5 near Kelso to milepost 12 in Castle Rock. There's a dedication sign on either end.
The death of Deputy DeRosier shook the Cowlitz County area as he was seen as a hero to many. Hundreds of members from the community and law enforcement came out to pay tribute during the 45-mile procession that honored him.
RELATED: 'We're all family': Hundreds across Pacific Northwest come for procession of Deputy Justin DeRosier
DeRosier's suspected killer, Brian Butts, was shot dead on the same night as DeRosier's death. He was killed during a massive pursuit involving two SWAT squads and at least a half dozen other police agencies.
Two associates of Butts, Matthew and Michael Veatch, were also arrested in connection to the murder and on unrelated charges. Court records said Matthew helped Butts escape and hide his gun.
