OZARK, Mo. — The Christian County community is mourning a heartbreaking tragedy after an off-duty deputy and his wife were killed in a devastating crash on Monday evening, leaving behind a legacy of service, sacrifice, and love.
Deputy Mike Adams, 52, and his wife Ashley Adams lost their lives in a head-on collision around 8:50 p.m. on Melton Road, just outside of Highlandville. According to investigators, the couple was struck by a suspected impaired driver who had earlier evaded law enforcement.
Mike was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Ashley when the collision occurred. The couple’s four-month-old grandchild, who was also in the car, was seriously injured and remains hospitalized. The child’s condition is stable, and the family is asking for continued prayers.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Major Crash Investigation Unit is leading the investigation. Early reports indicate that the driver who caused the crash crossed the center line and collided head-on with the Adamses’ vehicle. The suspect had previously fled from law enforcement and is believed to have been impaired at the time of the crash.
The tragic loss has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and across Christian County.
“Mike was one of those deputies you could always rely on,” said Sheriff Brad Cole in a public statement. “No matter the situation, he was there, ready to serve. His passing, and the loss of his wife Ashley, is a tremendous blow to our department and to the entire community.”
Deputy Adams joined the Christian County Sheriff’s Office in November 2022, serving in the Patrol Division. He brought with him a lifetime of experience, having previously worked with the Scott County and Mississippi County Sheriff’s Offices, and proudly served in the United States Air Force.
Those who worked alongside him describe him as a steady hand, a man of principle and humility, who always put service above self.
Ashley Adams, while not in uniform, was equally known in the community. She supported her husband’s work with grace and kindness, and her warmth touched everyone who knew her. Together, Mike and Ashley were a team—devoted to each other, to their family, and to their community.
The couple had recently welcomed their grandchild into the world, and friends say they were overjoyed to embrace this new chapter of their lives.
As news of the crash spread, an outpouring of grief and love filled the county. Flags were lowered to half-staff, and fellow deputies, friends, and neighbors have begun to gather outside the Christian County Sheriff’s Office to leave flowers and tributes.
A candlelight vigil is being planned in the coming days to honor their memory, and the Sheriff’s Office has established a fund to assist the family with funeral costs and medical care for the injured infant.
“Mike served with honor, and Ashley lived with love. Their legacy will live on in the lives they touched and the example they set,” Sheriff Cole added. “We will continue to stand by their family, now and in the difficult days ahead.”
Memorial service arrangements will be shared with the public as they become available.
As the investigation continues, the Christian County community stands united in sorrow and remembrance—honoring the lives of two people who gave so much and were taken far too soon.
Deputy Mike Adams and Ashley Adams will be deeply missed. Their memory will remain etched in the heart of Christian County, a symbol of service, devotion, and enduring love.
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