Multiple agencies responded after a Dexter man allegedly tells 911 dispatch he wants to ‘die by suicide by cop’ on Christmas day

DEXTER, Mo. (KBSI) – A man was taken into custody after a standoff and alleged suicide attempt with officers.

According to the Dexter Police Department on Wednesday December 25, 2024, at 9:04 am 911 dispatch received a call from a man stating he wanted to die by suicide by cop. The caller told the 911 dispatch that he would shoot at police when they arrived at the residence.

Dexter Police Officers, a Stoddard County Deputy and a Corporal with Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to 913 North Sassafras Street, the location the caller placed the call from.

When the first deputy arrived on scene, he saw a man later identified as 29-year-old Steven Parks standing on his front porch. The deputy was about 50 yards away when the deputy saws Parks raise a gun and point it at him and fire.

The deputy began to back his patrol vehicle back down the street to create more distance when Parks allegedly raised his firearm and fired it again in the direction of the deputy.

The Corporal with Missouri State Highway Patrol was behind the deputy and heard both shots.

Officers on scene say that Parks then walked out into the street.

Dexter Police Officers, the Stoddard County Deputy and the Corporal with Missouri State Highway Patrol instructed Parks to surrender, in which he did.

A loaded handgun was later found on the porch.

Parks was arrested and faces multiple charges including two Class A Felonies and an Unclassified Felony.

Parks is being held in the Stoddard County Jail on a no bond warrant.