Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable John Harryman and Detective Harry McGinnis of the Joplin Police Department were killed in a gun battle with the notorious outlaw gang led by Bonnie and Clyde. Detective McGinnis, Constable Harryman, and several other area officers had gone to their hideout at 34th Street and Oak Ridge Drive to investigate what they thought were bootleggers. Instead, they had stumbled upon Bonnie and Clyde's gang. Both Detective McGinnis and Constable Harryman were shot and killed by the Barrow brothers. Constable Harryman, who was elected Shoal Creek Township Constable of Newton County in November 1932, was survived by his wife and two children. He is buried in Saginaw Cemetery, Saginaw, Newton County, Missouri. The Bonnie and Clyde Gang was responsible for the murder of law enforcement officers in four states - Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas - between 1932 and 1934. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow started their criminal career by robbing banks and quickly became notorious murderers wanted for the murders of nine law enforcement officers. The two criminals were finally shot and killed in Louisiana when they were ambushed by a task force of Texas and Louisiana officers.
Survivors
Constable Harryman, who was elected Shoal Creek Township Constable of Newton County in November 1932, was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MO-614C5D9A- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Constable Harryman gave the Shoal Creek Township Constable's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Harryman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John Wesley Harryman 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wesley Harryman's cause is highlighted.
How John Wesley Harryman Compares
Offender Outcome
Both shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wesley Harryman is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wesley Harryman was killed by gun; unknown type.