SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has identified the park ranger injured in the Nov. 11 officer-involved shooting near the intersection of South Glenstone and East Battlefield.

Ranger Robert Bridges was providing backup to Springfield Police Department officers when he was hit by several shots fired by a suspect. Bridges remains in serious condition with non-life-threatening injuries at a Springfield hospital. Bridges has served as a Springfield-Greene County park ranger about a year and a half, with 17 years of previous law enforcement experience.

Springfield Police are investigating the incident. All questions about the incident should be directed to the Springfield Police Department. 

Springfield-Greene County Park Rangers are law enforcement officers, commissioned through the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and dispatched through 911. Park Rangers have jurisdiction in both the city and county, not limited to parks. While on patrol, rangers often provide backup to officers with Springfield Police, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, area School Resource officers, Airport Police and other agencies within Greene County. 

“All our thoughts and prayers are with Ranger Bridges and his family, as well as the Springfield Police officers involved in this incident,” said Director of Parks Bob Belote. “We are extremely proud of our park rangers and the work they do with our law enforcement partner agencies, who work tirelessly and too often in harm’s way in keeping our community safe."

For media inquiries, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510.

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