02/24/2026
Our hearts are heavy today.
We honor the two officers who gave their lives protecting our community last night. Their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
We are praying for their families, their fellow officers, and everyone impacted by this tragedy.
We stand with our local law enforcement. 💙
🚨 SECOND DEPUTY KILLED IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY MANHUNT- TWO OTHERS SHOT🚨
What began as a massive manhunt has now ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
The suspect, Richard Bird, has been shot and killed by law enforcement. But the cost of bringing this to an end is devastating.
We now know for certain:
• Two Christian County deputies have been killed.
• The first identified is Deputy Gabriel Ramirez, 30 years old.
• The second fallen deputy has not yet been publicly identified.
• Another deputy from Christian County and one from Webster County were also wounded.. their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Sheriff Brad Cole says the gunfire erupted early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
After Bird’s abandoned vehicle was located, officers from across the Ozarks searched for hours. A Highway Patrol helicopter detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area. When deputies moved in, Bird opened fire. Law enforcement returned fire, ending the threat.
But two heroes did not make it home...
Two families are now shattered.
A department is grieving.
An entire community is mourning.
Today, we pray for the fallen.
We pray for the wounded.
We pray for the deputies who stood in that darkness.
And we hold the line for the men who can no longer stand beside it. 🖤💙🕯️🕊️
