MANISTEE, MI -- Thousands, including law enforcement officials, family members and friends from across the state and elsewhere, turned out Saturday, Sept. 14 to honor fallen Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop earlier in the week, at his funeral.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, guests shared memories of Butterfield and paid tribute to a man they described as a caring person and good friend.

Here are a few thoughts shared by a few people who attended his memorial services at Manistee High School. The excerpts have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Maurice Hopgood and Kelvin Atwater, Butterfield's classmates at Bridgeport High School

Atwater: "We were looking forward to seeing him just a week from today, at our 25th year class reunion. This is definitely a sad situation but Paul is very deserving of everything you're seeing today, all the love he's receiving. He was just a great person."

Hopgood: "Paul was a great guy, very well respected, a committed athlete. He was a very fun guy, always laughing and joking, the life of the party, but he also drew people together and you can even see that today.

"We understand death, but in this kind of manner it's tragic. But the thing about it, Paul was doing what he loved to do."

Atwater: "It's tragic, it's sad, but things happen for a reason. ...

"He served our state (and) our country well. Paul is definitely a hero. If there's such a thing as a hero, that's what Paul definitely is."

Sydnie Thomas and Zhaawan Sprague, area youth

Thomas, 12, of Free Soil: "I never knew him personally but the incident happened less than a mile from my house and it kind of hit me and I felt like I needed to ... show everyone that I supported (Butterfield), that he risked his life for us to be safe and I'm just thankful for what he did and I just wish that it never really happened."

Sprague, 10, of Manistee: "I personally never knew him, I just wanted to support him and his family ... and I just wanted to let them know that we do care what happened and the thing that they put together (the visitation and funeral) was phenomenal. It was really special and it probably meant a lot to his family and friends."

Thomas: "My sister lives across the street (from Manistee High School) and she thought it would be a good idea to make signs and put out balloons and all that, so me and (Sprague) have been here for maybe three hours walking around."

Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, Director, Michigan State Police

"If you look around and if you look at the streets, people were holding up signs and banners for Trooper Butterfield. You know, this just shows you that people still love their law enforcement and ... you really look at the outpouring in a community like Manistee. ... They're never going to forget this.

"Today, a community like Manistee ... they're never going to forget this. This is going to be forever in there hearts. It's in mine. ...

"It's a celebration to look at a life that's impacted so many people. He really died very young, but look what he accomplished in his years on this earth. And so I kind of said there's a surreal moment but heartbroken yes, but I know he impacted a lot of lives and shouldn't we all be looking to do that?"

The funeral for Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II on September 14, 2013 77 Gallery: The funeral for Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II on September 14, 2013

Lisha Arino covers arts and entertainment, as well as other topics, as needed, for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at larino@mlive.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.