$750K bond set for suspect in Butler County sheriff’s deputy’s stabbing

Phillip Lovely was arrested following the stabbing of a Butler County Sheriff's Office deputy Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

Phillip Lovely was arrested following the stabbing of a Butler County Sheriff's Office deputy Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

The man accused of stabbing a Butler County deputy was arraigned on new charges Friday morning.

Phillip Lovely, 41, was indicted Wednesday on charges of attempted aggravated murder, felonious assault, arson and of inducing panic.

Butler County Judge Gregory Howard on Friday morning set Lovely’s bond at $750,000. He is jailed at the Warren County Jail.

Lovely is scheduled to appear in court again April 1.

Deputy Mike Farthing

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Butler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Farthing responded to a vehicle fire around 12:45 p.m. Feb. 5 on Myers Road in Madison Twp., where court records say Phillip Lovely set his own vehicle ablaze after a breakup.

While Farthing was assisting with traffic control, Lovely, who lives on the property, allegedly stabbed him from behind, telling the deputy, “this is your unlucky day.”

The knife pierced Farthing’s ballistic vest, and the two struggled before the deputy subdued him. Radio traffic captured Farthing reporting he’d been stabbed and had the suspect at gunpoint.

Farthing was taken to Atrium Medical Center and released the next day.

On Wednesday, a Butler County grand jury indicted Lovely on the following charges:

  • attempted aggravated murder, a first degree felony
  • felonious assault (serious physical harm), a first-degree felony
  • felonious assault (deadly weapon), a first-degree felony
  • arson, a fourth-degree felony
  • inducing panic, a fourth-degree felony
  • inducing panic, a fifth-degree felony

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