From KMBC.com: A Missouri man who died after a manhunt and shootout with authorities, killing two deputies in the process, had a lengthy criminal history.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert on Monday, accusing Richard Dean Bird, 45, of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.
A manhunt ensued, leading law enforcement officers to Reeds Springs, Missouri, where they found Bird’s abandoned truck. When deputies attempted to arrest Bird, he reportedly began shooting at deputies. Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said two deputies were shot, and while trying to reach and rescue the injured deputies, another deputy was fatally shot. Bird reportedly continued firing, and law enforcement officers eventually used an armored vehicle to stop the threat and shoot and kill Bird.
The deputies killed were identified as Gabriel Ramirez, 30, and Michael Hislope, 40.
Bird first killed Christian County Deputy Gabriel Ramirez during a routine traffic stop in southwest Missouri around 4:00 p.m. Monday. The killing resulted in a massive manhunt involving about 100 officers, deputies, state troopers, U.S. Marshals, and FBI and ATF agents.
Amid the manhunt after Ramirez was killed, authorities had put out an alert for a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck bearing Missouri license plate 9MGX36.
When they finally located him near Reeds Spring, which is northwest of Branson, Missouri, he opened fire on the officers again, killing Deputy Michael Hislope, and wounding two others.
However, this wasn’t the first time Bird had shot at law enforcement. He had actually shot at a deputy in Johnson County, Kansas in 2014. KMBC reported:
KMBC 9 reported on the arrest of Bird in 2014, when Bird was accused of shooting at a Johnson County, Kansas, deputy. He was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, though that was later amended to the aggravated battery of a law enforcement charge to which he ultimately pleaded guilty.
The report also shared details on Bird’s VERY LENGTHY criminal record, which spanned from 1999 to 2026, and included multiple charges for drugs, stealing, trespassing, and driving with a revoked license.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol had announced, “A search is underway near Reeds Spring in Stone County for Richard Dean Bird, 45, who is accused of shooting and killing a Christian County Deputy. The suspect’s truck was found abandoned nearby. Report sightings by calling 911.”
The Stone County Sheriff’s Department later announced in a separate Facebook post, “Suspect is deceased No longer a threat to the community.”
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office later released the tragic news:
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two of our own — Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and Deputy Michael Hislope — who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Deputy Gabriel Ramirez, 30, joined the Christian County Sheriff’s Office on March 14, 2025. Though his time with us was brief, his commitment to serving others and protecting this community was clear from the very beginning.
Deputy Michael Hislope, 40, served our community honorably since October 28, 2019. He was a dedicated deputy, a trusted colleague, and a valued member of our sheriff’s office family.
These men answered the call to serve, putting the safety of others before their own, including serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christian County will never be forgotten.
We ask our community to keep their families, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
On behalf of the entire Christian County Sheriff’s Office, we honor their service, their sacrifice, and their legacy.
Sheriff Brad Cole
Early this morning, we learned the tragic news of another Christian County deputy killed overnight in pursuit of the criminal who took the life of Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
I am grateful for the collaboration between local law enforcement officers, the Missouri State Highway…
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) February 24, 2026
A deputy in my home county was shot and killed today.
Erin and I are praying for his family. May justice be swifthttps://t.co/MiJO5WT0Jf
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) February 24, 2026
This is a devastating loss in Christian County.
As local law enforcement works to bring the suspect to justice, my prayers are with the deputy’s loved ones and those who served shoulder to shoulder with him to keep Missouri safe. https://t.co/iNCYsw7a9c
— Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) February 24, 2026
READ MORE from KMBC.com.
BREAKING: A suspect allegedly opened fire on Monday on law enforcement officers during a traffic stop in Missouri, killing one before escaping, the Stone County Sheriff’s Office said.
Read more: https://t.co/bvV9Y65O2v
— ABC News (@ABC) February 24, 2026
DEVELOPING | The man suspected of killing two Missouri deputies Monday was previously sentenced in connection to shooting at a Johnson County, Kansas, sheriff’s deputy in 2014.
Latest updates: ⬇️https://t.co/7KZTzSKf57
— KSHB 41 News (@KSHB41) February 24, 2026
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