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Harry L. McGinnis
Agency patch
Detective

Harry L. McGinnis

Joplin Police Department — Joplin, MO
Felonious
United States flag Missouri flag
End of Watch April 13, 1933
Age 53
The Vigil Panel 66 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Detective Harry McGinnis and Constable J. W. Harryman of the Shoal Creek Township Constable's Office 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. Detective McGinnis was predeceased by his wife and is buried in Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, Vernon 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.

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective McGinnis served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McGinnis.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Joplin Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Joplin, Jasper County, MO
Platform Identity jpd.jasper.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 13, 1933
Age 53
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Harry was 53. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Joplin Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Harry among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Harry L. McGinnis

Joplin Police Department · End of Watch April 13, 1933

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E

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