Butler City Police have identified the officer who was stabbed earlier this week and say he remains in the hospital.
Marine Corps Veteran and three year member of the City Police force 27-year-old Michael Sulerud was the officer who responded to the scene on West Jefferson Street early Tuesday morning.
After a struggle with 35-year-old John Ebberts, Sulerud was stabbed and responded by firing in self-defense. Sulerud was then flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital where he had surgery for multiple stab wounds.
According to City Police, Sulerud is in stable but critical condition as of Thursday afternoon. Sulerud’s family is asking for privacy at this time.
State police say there was no video evidence of the incident, and that their investigation is ongoing. Butler City Police will not be commenting on the State Police investigation.
Submitted photo of Officer Mike Sulerud and his wife.
(WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE): The latest word from State Police is that the Butler City Police officer who was stabbed Tuesday morning in downtown Butler remains in stable, but critical condition.
The identity of the officer has been determined to be 27-year-old Michael Sulerud. State Police Trooper Josh Black said the officer has been with City Police for the last three years and is a marine veteran.
The officer was stabbed by 35-year-old John Ebberts Tuesday around 7 a.m. on West Jefferson Street. Police said the officer fatally shot Ebberts after being stabbed.
The exact details about how many times the officer was stabbed and the extent of his injuries have not been confirmed by police.
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A Butler City Police officer remains in critical, but stable condition after being stabbed yesterday morning in downtown Butler.
It happened just before 7 a.m. in the 300 block of West Jefferson Street yesterday when the officer responded to a call of a man jumping in-an-out of traffic.
State police identified that man as 35-year-old John Ebberts of Butler. Trooper Josh Black of the state police said as soon as the officer encountered Ebberts, a struggle ensued.
According to Black, Ebberts stabbed the officer multiple times, which lead to the officer discharging his service issued firearm, striking, and fatally wounding the man. It wasn’t clear how many shots were fired during the incident, or how many times the officer was stabbed by Ebberts.
The officer was taken by Stat Medivac to UPMC Presby in Pittsburgh. He has three years on the force with the City of Butler and is a marine veteran.
The State Police Major Case team is currently investigating this incident along with the Butler County DA’s office and the Butler County Coroner’s office. Assisting in the investigation is the Butler County Sheriff’s office, Butler City Bureau of Fire, and Butler Ambulance service.
Troop Black also confirmed there are no public safety concerns and the ongoing investigation is ongoing.
