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2 Missouri sheriff’s deputies fatally shot, 2 others wounded, authorities say
Suspect Richard Dean Bird, with a significant criminal history, killed two deputies and wounded two others during a manhunt involving about 100 officers, officials said.
- On Feb. 24, 2026, law enforcement said a shootout near the State Highway 160 roundabout by Reeds Spring killed Richard Dean Bird, 45, and two Christian County deputies.
- A traffic stop Monday afternoon south of Highlandville around 4 p.m. preceded a 4:35 p.m. Blue Alert and discovery of an abandoned pickup truck near Reeds Springs.
- A Missouri State Highway Patrol helicopter and drones with heat-sensing technology detected a moving heat signature, while around 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers used an armored vehicle to stop the suspect.
- In the immediate aftermath, Christian County deputy wounded and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall are in stable condition at Springfield hospital, and the MSHP canceled the Blue Alert about 1 a.m.
- Authorities say a warrant was served Saturday, and Sheriff Brad Cole acknowledged Bird's many prior arrests but has not reviewed his full record amid the ongoing response.
65 Articles
65 Articles
Two Missouri deputies killed hours apart by fleeing suspect who was released days earlier from jail
Two Missouri deputies were killed after a career criminal gunman Richard Bird opened fire on officers during a traffic stop, and again during a chaotic manhunt — where the suspect was also shot and killed, according to authorities.
Dnevni list Danas
n1info.rsTwo Missouri sheriff's deputies were fatally shot - one during a traffic stop and the other hours later during a shootout with a suspect, the AP reported, citing local authorities.
2 Missouri sheriff's deputies fatally shot, 2 others wounded, aut
A man with a long criminal history fatally shot a Missouri sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop and then killed a second deputy in a gunbattle hours later as the deputy tried to save two wounded officers, authorities said Tuesday. “We will be honoring them for a lifetime,” Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said at a news conference in praise of the slain men. Cole said the suspect, 45-year-old Richard Dean Bird, also was killed. Bird’s death …
Manhunt ends: Two deputies killed, two injured, suspect dead
HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo. — Two Christian County deputies were killed, and two others were wounded, Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning in Highlandville and near Reeds Spring. The suspect, Richard Dean Bird, was killed by law enforcement after an hours-long and deadly manhunt, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole. This started Monday afternoon when Deputy Gabriel [...]
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