Two deputies killed in SW Missouri, two more injured

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Sheriff Brad Cole said a Christian County deputy was fatally shot during a traffic stop Monday, Feb. 23, and another Christian County deputy was shot and killed by the suspect hours later during a manhunt in rural Stone County.
Cole said a third Christian County deputy and a Webster County deputy were also shot while trying to apprehend the suspect. He said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

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The suspect, 45-year-old Richard Dean Bird, was killed in a shootout with law enforcement, Cole said.

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Authorities say the events began at about 3:50 p.m. when Bird shot and killed Christian County Deputy Gabriel Ramirez during a traffic stop near Highway 160 in the Highlandville area.
Bird fled the scene, prompting a massive search. The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a “blue alert” asking for the public’s help finding Bird’s white pickup truck.

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Cole said Stone County deputies found the truck abandoned not far from the roundabout where Highway 160 meets Highway 248 near Reeds Spring.
Authorities set up a perimeter, and Cole said a highway patrol helicopter picked up on a heat signature in the woods that law enforcement believed might be the suspect.
As long enforcement officers approached, Cole said Bird immediately opened fire on them, killing a deputy and injuring two others.

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Cole said law enforcement officers from throughout the region descended on the area, and Bird continued to shoot at officers who returned fire and killed him.

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Cole said the response included deputies from throughout southwest Missouri as well as federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF and U.S. Marshals Service.

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LINK





Looks like he shot at a cop in 2014 also. Believe he had just been released from jail in the past few days on another charge, as well.

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A 33-year-old Belton, Mo., man is facing charges in connection with an incident involving shots fired at a Johnson County, Kan., deputy early Monday morning.

Richard D. Bird is facing one count of attempted first degree murder and one count of misdemeanor theft, the Johnson County District Attorney announced on Wednesday morning.

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LINK