Crime
Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza killed in the line of duty, suspect in custody
The police chief says Officer Jacob Candanoza was in his 20s and leaves behind a wife and young son.
A Terrell Police officer was tragically killed during a routine traffic stop late Sunday night, and the suspect involved is now in custody, according to the Terrell Police Department.
Officer Jacob Candanoza, 28, conducted a traffic stop in the 1600 block of South State Highway 34 around 11 p.m. on December 8, 2024, near a Super 8 motel.
During the stop, Candanoza requested backup. Shortly thereafter, the department received two 911 calls reporting that an officer had been shot, department spokesperson Mary Hauger shared during a Monday press conference.
Responding officers arrived at the scene and confirmed that Candanoza had sustained gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Despite his critical condition, Officer Candanoza managed to relay the suspect’s license plate number to dispatchers.
This critical information allowed law enforcement, including state Highway Patrol and off-duty officers, to locate the vehicle and pursue the suspect into Van Zandt County.
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident, officials reported.
“We want to extend our deepest condolences to Officer Candanoza’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” said Hauger.
Officer Candanoza joined the Terrell Police Department on July 15, 2024. His untimely death has deeply shaken the community and his colleagues.
Terrell, located approximately 30 miles east of Dallas, mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant. Further details about the suspect and the investigation will be shared as they become available.
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.