Cop Killer Cleared for Organ Donation, Writes Letter of Apology

The man, convicted for shooting and killing Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, has been cleared to give something back to the community for his crime--his organs.

WOOD TV in Grand Rapids is reporting that Eric Knysz knew he would never serve out his life behind bars prison sentence shortly after that sentence was announced.  He hanged himself earlier this week using bedsheets while in a prison processing center in Jackson County.

Officials from the Michigan Department of Corrections confirm he was 'not' on a suicide watch after being transferred to Jackson, since they say he gave no indication he would hurt himself.  Knysz was under suicide watch while housed in the Mason County Jail.

The report indicates that Knysz planned his sucide by first apologizing in court to the family of Trooper Paul Butterfield, confessing to a priest, then writing a letter to his sister Bonnie claiming he could no longer live with the guilt.

Knysz, who was determined to be brain dead, was kept on life support to see if he would be a viable organ donor.  It was determined he would be and plans are underway now for him to donate his heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

According to the report, Knysz also asked that his sister pass along a message to his wife and son.  He wanted Bonnie to "let my wife know I never wanted this to happen.  I wanted us to raise our son together and love each other with unconditional love."

Knysz also wrote that he was having trouble dealing with the fact that he had killed someone and caused so much pain.  "I don't know what to say to her about ruining her and (our son's) lives.  I have never been this ashamed of myself in my entire life, the word sorry is not suitable for how I feel toward them and you, my family and his (Butterfield's) family as well."

Knysz's wife Sarah is also serving a prison term after accepting a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against her husband.

Eric Knysz's organs could be harvested as early as today.

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