Prev
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
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmz4yxah9s97f95qh39f- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Shoal Creek Township Constable's Office remembered here.
John is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 10 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 42. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. John had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Shoal Creek Township Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Shoal Creek Township Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.