- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Highlandville Today
By the People, for the People
Two Christian County Deputies Killed in Line of Duty
Shootout ends manhunt for suspect after traffic stop south of Highlandville
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Two Christian County Sheriff's deputies, Michael Hislope and Gabriel Ramirez, were killed in the line of duty this week after a traffic stop south of Highlandville led to a manhunt and shootout near Reeds Spring, Missouri. A third Christian County deputy and one Webster County deputy were also injured but are expected to recover.
Why it matters
The tragic deaths of the two deputies highlight the dangers law enforcement officers face in the line of duty, and the community is mourning the loss of these public servants. The incident also raises questions about police procedures during high-risk situations and the need for continued support and resources for law enforcement.
The details
On Monday, Deputy Ramirez was shot and killed during a traffic stop south of Highlandville. The suspect, Richard Bird, fled the scene. A manhunt ensued, and law enforcement eventually surrounded Bird in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. In the resulting shootout, Deputy Hislope was also killed, and two other deputies were injured but are expected to recover.
- On Monday afternoon, Deputy Ramirez was shot and killed during a traffic stop south of Highlandville.
- A manhunt for the suspect, Richard Bird, lasted into the late night hours on Monday.
- The shootout where Deputy Hislope was killed occurred near Reeds Spring on Monday night.
The players
Deputy Michael Hislope
A 40-year-old Christian County Sheriff's deputy who had been with the department since October 2019.
Deputy Gabriel Ramirez
A 30-year-old Christian County Sheriff's deputy who had been with the department since March 2025.
Richard Bird
The suspect who shot and killed Deputy Ramirez during a traffic stop and was later killed in a shootout with law enforcement.
What they’re saying
“I'd actually heard a police officer say, on the loudspeaker, 'We got you surrounded, come out with your hands up.' We were watching that all unfold from inside the house. We were already locked down, and we were just really worried about where this — we thought, well, this guy could break into our house. Anything can happen.”
— Dennis Pritchard, Witness (KY3)
What’s next
Investigators will continue to examine the details of the incident and the actions of the deputies and suspect. The community is expected to hold memorial services to honor the fallen officers.
The takeaway
This tragic incident underscores the risks and sacrifices law enforcement officers make to protect their communities. It highlights the need for continued support, training, and resources for police departments to ensure the safety of both officers and the public.
