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Two Christian County Deputies Killed, Suspect Dead After Nightlong Manhunt

A Blue Alert drew about 100 officers who used aerial heat detection to find the suspect in woods near Reeds Spring.

Overview

  • Deputy Gabriel Ramirez, 30, was fatally shot during a traffic stop south of Highlandville shortly before 4 p.m. Monday.
  • The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert with details of a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado that was later found abandoned near Reeds Spring.
  • Deputies tracked a heat signature late Monday and the suspect opened fire, killing Deputy Michael Hislope, 40, as rescuers tried to reach wounded officers.
  • Christian County Deputy Josh Wahl was shot in the leg and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall was shot four times; both underwent surgery and are expected to recover.
  • The suspect, 45-year-old Richard Dean Bird, was killed when law enforcement returned fire; investigators are reviewing his lengthy criminal history, including a 2014 case involving shots fired at a Kansas deputy and recent Missouri charges.