February 23rd, 2026 Local News
Stone Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A manhunt connected to the killing of a Christian County deputy has ended with a second deputy also losing his life and the suspect dead.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole says the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement early Tuesday morning following a lengthy search involving agencies from across the Ozarks.
The final exchange of gunfire occurred near the roundabout on Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring, after Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned in the area. Cole says Bird fled into a wooded area, prompting an hours-long search. A helicopter with the Missouri State Highway Patrol later detected a moving heat signature. As deputies moved in, Bird opened fire, and officers returned fire, killing him.
Cole confirms two other deputies were wounded during the incident, one from Christian County and one from Webster County. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Authorities have identified the first deputy killed as Gabriel Ramirez, who was 30 years old. The second deputy killed, along with the two wounded deputies, have not yet been publicly identified.
The initial shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Monday during a traffic stop south of Highlandville at State Highway 160 and Route HH, which sparked the manhunt.
Approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers assisted in the search. Cole says assistance also came from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The investigation into the shootings remains ongoing.