Today, Governor Mike Kehoe 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 Missouri on Saturday, February 28, 2026, 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,” Governor 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 February 23, 2026, Deputy Sheriff Ramirez was senselessly shot and killed during a traffic stop. After an hours-long manhunt for the suspect, early on February 24, 2026, 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.

"We appreciate the collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in assisting with this horrible situation. But through this tragedy, we saw law enforcement from across the region come together to ensure justice was served. We must stand with the men and women who continue to put themselves in harm's way to protect and serve their communities," continued Governor Kehoe.

Ramirez served more than eight years in the U.S. Army after entering service in 2016, including serving in combat in Iraq. After his military service, Ramirez received a Missouri Blue Scholarship. In his scholarship essay he wrote, "I know I still have a purpose and duty to serve, and this is why I want to pursue Law Enforcement." He joined the Christian County Sheriff’s Office in July 2025. He was a resident of Christian County.

Hislope served in the U.S. Army from 2011 to 2016. A soldier who served with Hislope praised him for "being a great team leader supporting and training his soldiers, to being a steadfast friend . . . always there for the people he cared about." He later served as an officer with the North County Police Cooperative in St. Louis County from 2018 until 2019, when he joined the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. He was a resident of Greene County.

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day of Deputy Sheriffs Ramirez’s and Hislopes’ funerals.