A manhunt in Christian County, Missouri, has ended with the deaths of two sheriff’s deputies and the suspected shooter, Richard Bird.The incident began on February 23 at 3:53 p.m. when Christian County 911 received a call about a deputy down near the intersection of Highway 116, Glossop Avenue and Highland Mill, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole.Responding deputies found Deputy Gabriel Ramirez lying in the roadway, fatally shot.A suspect vehicle was identified shortly after, and a blue alert was issued at 4:35 p.m., launching an intense manhunt for Richard Bird, 45, of Stone County.Bird’s vehicle was located near the Read Springs area, leading to a nine-hour search.At 11:30 p.m., Bird was sighted in a wooded area near Highway 248, where law enforcement began taking gunfire from him. Watch the news conference from the Christian County Sheriff’s Office:Deputy Joshua Bell sustained a debilitating gunshot wound to the leg, and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall was shot four times.Law enforcement faced continued gunfire from Bird, preventing immediate rescue of the injured deputies.During the rescue attempt, Christian County Deputy Michael Hyslop was shot and killedCole said, “At that time, law enforcement utilized an armored vehicle to approach the suspects. The suspect, who continued to fire upon law enforcement. That time, multiple law enforcement officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and ultimately eliminated the threat.”Cole expressed gratitude for the support received, saying, “Today is a sad day for law enforcement in our community in southwest Missouri and across the state of Missouri. I want to express my sincere gratitude for everybody that’s reached out to our agency and provided words of comfort, food, whatever it might be, to help us through this situation.” Cole addressed questions about the initial traffic stop, stating, “We’re not clear on what the initial traffic stop was for. During a traffic stop, deputies and officers normally don’t report what they’re stopping them for, so we don’t know at this time what that stop was for.”He acknowledged Bird’s criminal history but had not reviewed it due to the ongoing situation, saying, “I’ve had a lot going on in the last 24 hours. I’ve not had a chance to review his criminal history. I understand he has many, in multiple arrests. Some being as recent as a couple weeks ago.”Technology such as aircraft and drones equipped with heat-sensing systems were used to locate Bird during the manhunt.Cole explained, “We had aircraft from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which we utilize, flare system, as well as multiple drones from multiple agencies, that were equipped with the same type of technology. When we got the tip that, or the sighting, we were able to launch those resources and very quickly, within just a couple of minutes, did locate a heat signature in the highway patrol aircraft.”Mourning deputies”It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two of our own — Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and Deputy Michael Hislope — who gave their lives in the line of duty,” Sheriff Brad Cole said in a social media statement.The department said Ramirez joined Christian County in March 2025.”Though his time with us was brief, his commitment to serving others and protecting this community was clear from the beginning,” Cole said.Hislope was a member of the department since October 2019.”He was a dedicated deputy, a trusted colleague, and a valued member of our sheriff’s office family,” Cole said.Cole continued, asking for thoughts and prayers as their community mourns the loss of the deputies.”These men answered the call to serve, putting the safety of others before their own, including serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christian County will never be forgotten,” Cole said. “We ask our community to keep their families, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. On behalf of the entire Christian County Sheriff’s Office, we honor their service, their sacrifice, and their legacy.”

A manhunt in Christian County, Missouri, has ended with the deaths of two sheriff’s deputies and the suspected shooter, Richard Bird.

The incident began on February 23 at 3:53 p.m. when Christian County 911 received a call about a deputy down near the intersection of Highway 116, Glossop Avenue and Highland Mill, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole.

Responding deputies found Deputy Gabriel Ramirez lying in the roadway, fatally shot.

A suspect vehicle was identified shortly after, and a blue alert was issued at 4:35 p.m., launching an intense manhunt for Richard Bird, 45, of Stone County.

Bird’s vehicle was located near the Read Springs area, leading to a nine-hour search.

At 11:30 p.m., Bird was sighted in a wooded area near Highway 248, where law enforcement began taking gunfire from him.

Watch the news conference from the Christian County Sheriff’s Office:

Deputy Joshua Bell sustained a debilitating gunshot wound to the leg, and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall was shot four times.

Law enforcement faced continued gunfire from Bird, preventing immediate rescue of the injured deputies.

During the rescue attempt, Christian County Deputy Michael Hyslop was shot and killed

Cole said, “At that time, law enforcement utilized an armored vehicle to approach the suspects. The suspect, who continued to fire upon law enforcement. That time, multiple law enforcement officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and ultimately eliminated the threat.”

Cole expressed gratitude for the support received, saying, “Today is a sad day for law enforcement in our community in southwest Missouri and across the state of Missouri. I want to express my sincere gratitude for everybody that’s reached out to our agency and provided words of comfort, food, whatever it might be, to help us through this situation.”

Cole addressed questions about the initial traffic stop, stating, “We’re not clear on what the initial traffic stop was for. During a traffic stop, deputies and officers normally don’t report what they’re stopping them for, so we don’t know at this time what that stop was for.”

He acknowledged Bird’s criminal history but had not reviewed it due to the ongoing situation, saying, “I’ve had a lot going on in the last 24 hours. I’ve not had a chance to review his criminal history. I understand he has many, in multiple arrests. Some being as recent as a couple weeks ago.”

Technology such as aircraft and drones equipped with heat-sensing systems were used to locate Bird during the manhunt.

Cole explained, “We had aircraft from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which we utilize, flare system, as well as multiple drones from multiple agencies, that were equipped with the same type of technology. When we got the tip that, or the sighting, we were able to launch those resources and very quickly, within just a couple of minutes, did locate a heat signature in the highway patrol aircraft.”

Mourning deputies

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two of our own — Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and Deputy Michael Hislope — who gave their lives in the line of duty,” Sheriff Brad Cole said in a social media statement.

The department said Ramirez joined Christian County in March 2025.

“Though his time with us was brief, his commitment to serving others and protecting this community was clear from the beginning,” Cole said.

Hislope was a member of the department since October 2019.

“He was a dedicated deputy, a trusted colleague, and a valued member of our sheriff’s office family,” Cole said.

Cole continued, asking for thoughts and prayers as their community mourns the loss of the deputies.

“These men answered the call to serve, putting the safety of others before their own, including serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christian County will never be forgotten,” Cole said. “We ask our community to keep their families, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. On behalf of the entire Christian County Sheriff’s Office, we honor their service, their sacrifice, and their legacy.”