Remember the Fallen
John Wesley Harryman, Sr.
Constable of Shoal Creek Township
Newton County, Missouri
Elected: November 11th, 1932
End of Watch: April 13th, 1933
ODMP.org
Shoal Creek Township Constable John "Wes" Harryman was killed in a gun battle with the notorious outlaw gang led by Bonnie and Clyde.
Constable Harryman and several other area officers had gone to their hideout at 3347 1/2 Oak Ridge Drive, in southern Joplin, to investigate what they thought were bootleggers. Neighbors had become suspicious of late hour activity of the house and reported it to the Highway Patrol. Troopers investigated and discovered that the registration on the vehicle didn't match that of the renters of the property.
They reported the matter to Joplin Police who obtained a search warrant. Constable Harryman, Troopers Kahler and Grammer, and Joplin Detectives DeGraff & McGinnis, went to the house at 4:00 pm.
As they arrived Clyde Barrow, of the Bonnie and Clyde Gang, was at the garage door. The officers drove one car into the driveway to stop Barrow from closing the door. Constable Harryman jumped out of the car and was struck with a shotgun blast.
Detective McGinnis exited the back seat of the opposite side of the car and was struck by another shotgun blast coming from the garage but was able to return fire. Automatic rifle fire erupted from the apartment windows striking McGinnis, nearly severing his right arm.
The troopers and Detective DeGraff continued the gun battle but Trooper Kahler ran out of ammunition and Detective DeGraff sent Grammer for help.
The gang then drove off continuing fire at Detective DeGraff.
Constable Harryman died en route to the hospital.
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Constable Harryman, also a farmer, was elected Shoal Creek Township Constable of Newton County in November 1932.
He was survived by his wife, Atha.
Constable of Shoal Creek Township
Newton County, Missouri
Elected: November 11th, 1932
End of Watch: April 13th, 1933
ODMP.org
Shoal Creek Township Constable John "Wes" Harryman was killed in a gun battle with the notorious outlaw gang led by Bonnie and Clyde.
Constable Harryman and several other area officers had gone to their hideout at 3347 1/2 Oak Ridge Drive, in southern Joplin, to investigate what they thought were bootleggers. Neighbors had become suspicious of late hour activity of the house and reported it to the Highway Patrol. Troopers investigated and discovered that the registration on the vehicle didn't match that of the renters of the property.
They reported the matter to Joplin Police who obtained a search warrant. Constable Harryman, Troopers Kahler and Grammer, and Joplin Detectives DeGraff & McGinnis, went to the house at 4:00 pm.
As they arrived Clyde Barrow, of the Bonnie and Clyde Gang, was at the garage door. The officers drove one car into the driveway to stop Barrow from closing the door. Constable Harryman jumped out of the car and was struck with a shotgun blast.
Detective McGinnis exited the back seat of the opposite side of the car and was struck by another shotgun blast coming from the garage but was able to return fire. Automatic rifle fire erupted from the apartment windows striking McGinnis, nearly severing his right arm.
The troopers and Detective DeGraff continued the gun battle but Trooper Kahler ran out of ammunition and Detective DeGraff sent Grammer for help.
The gang then drove off continuing fire at Detective DeGraff.
Constable Harryman died en route to the hospital.
-
Constable Harryman, also a farmer, was elected Shoal Creek Township Constable of Newton County in November 1932.
He was survived by his wife, Atha.
The Joplin Globe announces the election results for the Constable of Shoal Creek Township
Stone apartment at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive in Shoal Creek Township
Photograph of the apartment taken by Blanche Barrow, wife of Marvin "Buck" Barrow
Wanted Poster from the Joplin Police Department. They incorrectly name Clyde's brother Marvin as "Melvin".
The reward was increased to $1000.00 after an additional pledge of $400 by then Governor of Missouri, Guy Brasfield Park.
Gravestone of John W. Harryman, Sr. and wife, Atha Harryman.
Updated: April 6, 2021