Newton County Sheriff's Office
  • Home
  • Employment
  • About Us
    • Newton County
    • Honor Roll
    • Command Staff
    • Patrol
    • Investigations
    • Support Staff & Records
  • Resources
    • Newton County Sex Offenders
    • CCW Permits
    • Services
    • Links
    • Submit a Crime Tip
  • Jail
  • Contact

Remember the Fallen

John Wesley Harryman
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.
-
Constable Harryman, also a farmer, was elected Shoal Creek Township Constable of Newton County in November 1932.
​He was survived by his wife, Atha.
Picture
The Joplin Globe announces the election results for the Constable of Shoal Creek Township
Picture
Stone apartment at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive in Shoal Creek Township
element_settings.Image_30621876.default
Photograph of the apartment taken by Blanche Barrow, wife of Marvin "Buck" Barrow
Picture
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.
Picture
Gravestone of John W. Harryman, Sr. and wife, Atha Harryman.
See Also:
Detective Harry L. McGinnis
www.odmp.org
Updated: April 6, 2021
Newton County Sheriff's Office - 208 W. Coler, Neosho, Missouri 64850. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Having an issue with a page? Contact the site manager.
  • Home
  • Employment
  • About Us
    • Newton County
    • Honor Roll
    • Command Staff
    • Patrol
    • Investigations
    • Support Staff & Records
  • Resources
    • Newton County Sex Offenders
    • CCW Permits
    • Services
    • Links
    • Submit a Crime Tip
  • Jail
  • Contact