A Christian County deputy sheriff was fatally shot in Highlandville on Monday, Feb. 23, according to a Blue Alert posted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The shooting occurred at around 4 p.m. on Highway US-160. The suspect vehicle in the shooting is a white 2001 Ford Chevrolet Silverado with an extended cab. It has a Missouri license plate with the number 9MGX36. The Silverado is further described as having a silver brush guard, a rusted roof, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball hitch. The vehicle was seen heading southward on US-160 from Route HH in Christian County.
Anyone who spots the truck or having any information is asked to call 911 or their local law enforcement.
This is a developing story, and more information will be released as it becomes available.
Update: The Stone County Sheriff's Office has released these pictures of the suspect and the vehicle. Anyone who sees the suspect is advised to call 911, and not to approach him.
Update: The Missouri State Highway Patrol updated their Blue Alert to identify the suspect in the shooting as Richard Dean Bird. He is described as being 5-foot, six inches in height and weighing 145 pounds. He is white with brown eyes, bald, and possibly has a beard. He is also believed to be armed. Anyone who sees him is urged to not approach and call 911. Bird's vehicle has been located, but as of press time, authorities were still searching for him.
The deputy who was fatally shot has been identified as Deputy Gabriel Ramirez, 30. He had only begun his career with the Christian County Sheriff's Office in July of 2025.
Final Update: Richard Bird has been reported as deceased after having been shot by law enforcement. During the attempt to capture Bird, Christian County Deputy Michael Hislope, 40, was fatally shot by Bird. Two other officers, Christian County Deputy Joshua Wahl and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall, were seriously injured. Both Wahl and McCall underwent surgery and are in stable condition.
The Christian County Deputy Sheriffs Association has set up an official account for those wishing to provide financial support to Deputy Ramriez's and Hislope's families at https://venmo.com/u/ChristianCoDeputySheriffAssoc. The public is advised to beware of scammers attempting to profit from this tragedy.
A more detailed article will be posted later.
