Gary A. Bird

How they died

Deadly force

Deputies Timothy Groat and Jeff Sengheiser, and Pevely police Lt. Terry Thomas shot unarmed Gary A. Bird when he allegedly drove at them with his car after a high-speed chase. Officers had tried to stop Bird's BMW for speeding and driving erratically on Highway 21. According to officials, the officers blocked Bird's car on gravelly section of windy road. Bird allegedly steered toward deputy Phillip Andrew Crews, who dove out of the way as the other officers fired 10 rounds into Bird's car, four of which hit him. Bird died two days later.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Gary A. Bird, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources