Suspect in custody after Christian County deputy killed in shooting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The man accused of shooting and killing a Christian County deputy has been taken into custody, according to an alert from the Missouri State Highway Patrol sent just before 1 a.m. Tuesday.
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 in a similar manner to an Amber Alert, though it exclusively means that authorities it is 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. An update posted at 9:37 p.m. says authorities are looking for Richard Dean Bird, 45, of Highlandville. It says he is known to carry a gun.
Troopers were looking for him in Stone County.
Authorities were looking for a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado with Missouri license plates reading 9MGX36. The vehicle was found, but Bird is not in custody.
— Missouri State Highway Patrol Alerts (@MSHPAlerts) February 24, 2026
The Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team wrote on its social media that Gabriel Ramirez was the deputy who was shot and killed.
