From the Shannon County Sherriff’s Department Press Release:
On July 5, 2025, at approximately 5:11 PM, Deputy Johnson received a report from Witness 1 stating that her child’s father, Cody F. Buckner, was refusing to return their child at a residence located in Birch Tree, MO.
Witness 1 provided alarming text messages from Buckner in which he made direct threats to kill both her and any law enforcement officers who responded. Specific messages included:
“I will kill both [Witness 1] and the Sheriff.”
“I have my rifle; the minor child will grow up without both his parents.”
“I’m going to kill [Witness 1]… be prepared to die.”
“Step one foot on this property, you’re going to regret it. Bring your army.”
Deputy Johnson immediately sent screenshots of these texts to Captain Brumble.
Witness 1 also advised that there were two firearms inside the residence: a .22 rifle and a .30-06 rifle.
Due to the serious nature of the threats and presence of firearms, I activated Shannon County SWAT and requested mutual aid from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office CERT Team and Houston Police Department. A detailed tactical briefing and layout of the residence were completed prior to deployment.
Upon arrival, SWAT team members surrounded the residence, and the suspect was ordered to exit via PA system. Buckner emerged holding the child. Though initially refusing to step off the porch, deputies were able to peacefully talk him down. He was safely detained and the child was secured.
A protective sweep of the residence revealed: A loaded .22 rifle and loaded .30-06 rifle hanging on the wall in Buckner’s bedroom. A glass bulb commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and a baggie containing white residue near children’s toys in the living room.
Buckner is currently on Probation and Parole for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Failure to Pay Child Support. He was unable to provide a birth certificate for the child and was transported to the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office, placed on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges.
On July 6, 2025, at 3:30 PM, Captain Brumble and members of SCSO SWAT executed a search warrant at Buckner’s residence. The following items were recovered:
Kitchen Cabinet Above the Refrigerator: A sawed-off .410 shotgun with a barrel length of 12 inches.
Living Room Nightstand: A plastic baggie containing a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, within reach of a child.
Master Bathroom Cabinet: A mirror with crystal-like substance (positive for meth), and a broken glass pipe with white powder (also positive for meth).
All items were seized, documented, and will be submitted to the Missouri State Crime Lab for further analysis. Buckner was issued a search warrant return detailing all evidence collected.
Charges Filed:
Probation Violation (Capias Felony Warrant) – No Bond
Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Class D Felony – $25,000 Cash Only
Parental Kidnapping – Class E Felony – $25,000 Cash Only
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Class E Felony – $25,000 Cash Only
Additional charges are expected to be filed by the Shannon County Prosecutor’s Office.
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