Crime
Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder Dies from Injuries Sustained in Ambush Shooting
MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder, 32, has died from injuries sustained in a shooting that occurred while he was responding to a shots fired call Thursday night on the city’s north side. His death was confirmed by family members.
Officer Corder was one of two officers ambushed during the incident, which unfolded around 9 p.m. on June 26 near 25th and Garfield.
According to Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) officials, the officers were responding to a report of a suspect with a weapon when the call escalated to “shots fired” while they were en route.
As the officers exited their squad vehicle in an alley, they were immediately and unexpectedly fired upon. They did not have the opportunity to return fire, leading Milwaukee Police Association President Alexander Ayala to describe the incident as an “ambush.”
Both officers were rushed to Froedtert Hospital, a Level I trauma center.
Officer Corder suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his upper arm and chest, with at least one bullet striking his heart, causing critical internal trauma. He succumbed to his injuries days later.
The second officer, identified by family as 29-year-old Christopher McCray, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including gunshot wounds to his back and foot.
He was discharged from Froedtert Hospital on Saturday, June 28, and received a police escort home, where he will continue his recovery.
In a brief statement Saturday, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman addressed the public for the first time since the shooting, expressing sorrow over the loss and commending the courage of both officers.
Chief Norman emphasized the dangers law enforcement officers face and praised their bravery under fire.
The suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tremaine Jones, was taken into custody without incident around 2:15 a.m. on Friday.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed, but the Milwaukee Police Department’s Homicide Division is actively investigating the case.
This marks the fourth Milwaukee police officer shot in the line of duty in the past five months, and the third officer shot in just the last two weeks, highlighting a troubling rise in violence against law enforcement in the city.
The Milwaukee Police Association has released a statement mourning the loss of Officer Corder and urging the community to honor his service. “He made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while protecting others,” the statement read. “We will remember his commitment, courage, and dedication to keeping Milwaukee safe.”
Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact MPD or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
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.