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The Blue Alert issued out of Highlandville after the death of a Christian County deputy has ended in a shootout. Authorities say the suspect, Richard Dean Bird, is dead, along with a second Christian County deputy. Two other deputies were wounded. The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert Monday for Bird, 45, after they said he shot and killed a deputy in Christian County.That deputy has been identified as Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said deputies located Bird near Reeds Spring.As deputies attempted to arrest him, Cole said Bird started shooting at deputies.Cole said one deputy was shot and killed. Two other deputies were injured. Cole said their injuries were not life-threatening.The sheriff said Bird also died in that shootout with authorities.Law enforcement had been searching near Reed Spring after the suspect’s truck has been found abandoned nearby, according to the highway patrol. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe issues statement: Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said he has spoken with local authorities after the shootout that claimed the life of a second deputy.”Early this morning, we learned the tragic news of another Christian County deputy killed overnight in pursuit of the criminal who took the life of Deputy Gabriel Ramirez,” Kehoe wrote in a post on social media. “I am grateful for the collaboration between local law enforcement officers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and federal partners in taking down the perpetrator. This terrible tragedy is yet another solemn reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement officers make to keep our communities safe.”Claudia and I are keeping the families of both deputies who were killed, those officers injured, and the entire Southwest Missouri law enforcement community in our prayers.”Blue Alerts are similar to Amber Alerts in that they are issued to quickly get information out to the public, but indicate a threat to law enforcement and involve suspects who have harmed or could harm officers.
The Blue Alert issued out of Highlandville after the death of a Christian County deputy has ended in a shootout. Authorities say the suspect, Richard Dean Bird, is dead, along with a second Christian County deputy.
Two other deputies were wounded.
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The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert Monday for Bird, 45, after they said he shot and killed a deputy in Christian County.
That deputy has been identified as Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said deputies located Bird near Reeds Spring.
As deputies attempted to arrest him, Cole said Bird started shooting at deputies.
Cole said one deputy was shot and killed. Two other deputies were injured. Cole said their injuries were not life-threatening.
The sheriff said Bird also died in that shootout with authorities.
Law enforcement had been searching near Reed Spring after the suspect’s truck has been found abandoned nearby, according to the highway patrol.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe issues statement:
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said he has spoken with local authorities after the shootout that claimed the life of a second deputy.
“Early this morning, we learned the tragic news of another Christian County deputy killed overnight in pursuit of the criminal who took the life of Deputy Gabriel Ramirez,” Kehoe wrote in a post on social media. “I am grateful for the collaboration between local law enforcement officers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and federal partners in taking down the perpetrator. This terrible tragedy is yet another solemn reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement officers make to keep our communities safe.
“Claudia and I are keeping the families of both deputies who were killed, those officers injured, and the entire Southwest Missouri law enforcement community in our prayers.”
Blue Alerts are similar to Amber Alerts in that they are issued to quickly get information out to the public, but indicate a threat to law enforcement and involve suspects who have harmed or could harm officers.
