JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Mike Kehoe has ordered the U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings in Christian and Greene counties, all police stations, sheriffs’ offices, and Missouri State Highway Patrol general and troop headquarters across the state on Saturday, Feb. 28, from sunrise to sunset, to honor Christian County Deputy Sheriffs Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope.
“Bravery, dedication to duty, and service to others defined these fine men, who each defended our nation as soldiers before selflessly serving Christian County as deputy sheriffs,” Gov. Kehoe said. “Sadly, these courageous heroes lost their lives because of an evil, violent, career criminal who should not have been free to commit these heinous crimes. Claudia and I are keeping both families, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, and the entire law enforcement community in our prayers during this difficult time. Ramirez’s and Hislope’s legacies will not be forgotten.”
On Feb. 23, Deputy Sheriff Ramirez was shot and killed during a traffic stop. After an hours-long manhunt for the suspect, early on Feb. 24, Deputy Sheriff Hislope was killed in an exchange of gunfire by the same gunman as he and other officers attempted to apprehend Ramirez’s killer…