A founding member of the Federal Way Police Department, Mississippi sheriff’s deputy Lt. Michael Boutte, was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call on Feb. 1.
On Monday, Feb. 1, Lt. Boutte responded to a call involving a suicidal subject in the town of Necaise, Mississippi. As he exited his patrol car, he was shot and critically wounded. Another deputy responded, shooting the 30-year-old suspect.
Lt. Boutte was airlifted to a hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he later died from his injuries. The suspect was also airlifted to the Louisiana hospital and will be extradited to Mississippi to face charges soon.
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang notified Federal Way department members of Boutte’s death in an email on Feb. 2.
Lt. Michael Anthony Boutte was hired as a patrol officer at the Federal Way Department of Public Safety on November 12, 1996, Hwang said.
After five years with Federal Way, he continued his law enforcement career in Mississippi where he served various agencies for 20 years, eight years of which were spent with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office as a police lieutenant.
Boutte was also a U.S. Air Force veteran and previously served with the U.S. Marine Corps civilian police.
Boutte was a husband and a father to two adult children. Hwang noted Michael’s daughter, Jessica, reached out to him.
“Jessica described her father as a man who loved being a police officer, a man who dedicated decades of service to our profession, and a man who was loved by all who knew him,” Hwang wrote.
To honor a fellow officer killed in the line of duty, all Federal Way Police Department members will wear the mourning band until Sunday, Feb. 14.
“We thank Lieutenant Mike Boutte for his service, bravery, and making the ultimate sacrifice to protect others,” Hwang told the Mirror. “We thank him for choosing a life of honor and integrity.”
According to the Sun Herald, Boutte’s funeral service is set for Feb. 9 in Bay St. Louis. His burial will be followed by a law enforcement escort to a veteran’s cemetery in honor of his military service.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has ordered flags across the state be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, Feb. 9, to honor Boutte.