Sheriff’s office honors deputies killed in southwest Missouri shootout
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The two deputies who were killed by a suspect in southwest Missouri on Monday were U.S. Army veterans, the Christian County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.
The sheriff's office identified the men as Gabriel Ramirez, 30, and Michael Hislope, 40. They were killed during encounters with Richard D. Bird, 45, who later died, as well, according to the sheriff's office.
According to Christian County Sheriff Brian Cole, Bird was killed after he opened fire on deputies as they tried to arrest him. Deputies returned fire after Bird shot at them.
A deputy from Webster County was also injured, according to Cole, but those injuries were not life-threatening.
Bird allegedly shot Ramirez in a separate incident Monday afternoon in Ozark.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a “Blue Alert” on Monday afternoon as it searched for a vehicle near a town south of Springfield after the shooting.
A “Blue Alert” is issued when authorities are looking for someone who either injured or killed a law enforcement officer or is looking for someone who plans to hurt officers.
A second alert was sent at 4:36 p.m., indicating a Christian County deputy was killed in a shooting.
Gov. Mike Kehoe posted on social media following the shooting and asked for prayer for the Christian County Sheriff's Office.
I have spoken with Sheriff Brad Cole and we continue to pray for the Christian County Sheriff's Office and the loved ones of the deputy involved in today’s horrific incident in Christian County.
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) February 24, 2026
If you have any information that could assist authorities in locating the suspect,… https://t.co/F8ogFB7SxD
The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team wrote on its social media named Ramirez publicly on Monday.
