Crime
Manchester Police Sergeant Ryan Moan found dead outside Middle Bolton Lake Boat Launch in Vernon
Moan had been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including risk of injury/impairing the morals of a child, enticing a minor by computer, misrepresentation of age to entice a minor, and tampering with physical evidence.
A Manchester police sergeant, who was recently arrested on serious charges, was found dead near a boat launch in Vernon on Friday afternoon, according to law enforcement sources.
The deceased officer, identified as Sergeant Ryan Moan, 33, was discovered in the parking lot of the Middle Bolton Lake Boat Launch on Hatch Hill Road at approximately 1:45 p.m.
Authorities have determined that Moan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the case is being treated as an untimely death. Vernon police have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Earlier that same day, Moan had been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including risk of injury/impairing the morals of a child, enticing a minor by computer, misrepresentation of age to entice a minor, and tampering with physical evidence.
The arrest stemmed from allegations that first surfaced on November 18, which led to Moan being placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Manchester Police Department.
Moan, a resident of Coventry, joined the Manchester Police Department in February 2017 and most recently served as the supervisor of school resource officers for Manchester Public Schools. His role included oversight of school safety operations, particularly at Manchester High School.
School officials confirmed that they were made aware of the allegations on November 18 and acted swiftly to remove Moan from his position pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death. The incident is still under investigation, and Vernon police are urging anyone with additional information to contact them at 860-872-9126.
This tragic event has left both the law enforcement and local communities grappling with shock and unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding Moan’s charges and subsequent death.
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.