Crime
Kentucky State Police searching for two escaped Blackburn Correctional Inmates
Bradley Cornwell, 40, a white man with black hair, and blue eyes 6’0″, 175 lbs. Adam E. Ball, 38, a white man with blonde hair and blue eyes, 6’3″, 250 lbs.
Kentucky State Police have issued an alert for two inmates, Bradley Cornwell and Adam Ball, who escaped from the Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington.
Authorities believe the pair made their escape together, utilizing a water truck to flee the facility.
According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Cornwell and Ball were last spotted on Sunday at the Shell station on Iron Works Pike, and may be traveling toward Scott County.
The sheriff’s office shared details on their appearances and last-known clothing:
- Adam E. Ball: 38 years old, from Russell Springs, is described as a white male, standing 6’3” and weighing 250 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a full khaki jumpsuit with a khaki hat.
- Bradley E. Cornwell: 40 years old, from Georgetown, is a white male, 6’ tall and 175 pounds, with black hair and blue eyes. Cornwell’s last-known outfit included a white t-shirt, gray sweatpants, white shoes, and a khaki hat.
Law enforcement urges the public not to approach either individual if spotted, as they may be dangerous.
Instead, anyone with information or who believes they have seen these individuals should immediately call 911.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.