Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Harlow was shot and killed by a prisoner who was smuggled a gun while incarcerated in the county jail. The suspect shot Sheriff Harlow as the cell door was opened and the suspect was allowed to enter the hallway to make a phone call to his wife. The Sheriff's son was also shot when he entered the room and died six days later, and the suspect also fired at the Sheriff's wife. The suspect was arrested in Colorado and returned to Missouri. The man was sentenced to life in prison but was taken from the judge's chambers by an angry mob of citizens and hanged outside of the courthouse.
Survivors
Sheriff Harlow was survived by his wife and seven daughters; his son was also killed in this incident.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-D126B591- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Harlow served with the Barton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lamar community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Harlow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John M. Harlow, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Barton County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Harlow, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John M. Harlow, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Harlow, Jr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Harlow, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Barton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
