Sheriff John Harlow was shot and killed during an escape attempt by a jailed prisoner.

Sheriff Harlow, who was known to be thoughtful in his treatment of those incarcerated in his jail, allowed the prisoner a visit by his wife and mother. Later the prisoner requested that he be allowed to use the telephone located in the hallway outside his cell to call his wife. Sheriff Harlow acceded to the request and allowed the suspect to enter the hallway. The suspect produced a revolver and shot and killed the sheriff who called out to his wife as he fell to the floor. Sheriff Harlow's 18 year-old son, Walter Forrest Harlow, was also shot as he entered the room. Walter died six days later with a severed spine. During the attack the suspect also fired at the sheriff's wife and threatened to kill them all. The suspect, Jay Lynch, fled but was arrested in Colorado and returned to stand trial in Lamar, Missouri. He was sentenced to life in prison, the greatest possible sentence that could be imposed as the death sentence had been rescinded by the state legislature in 1917.

Jay Lynch would never serve time for his crimes. Shortly after his sentencing on May 28, 1919, Lynch was taken from the judge's chambers by an angry mob of citizens who then hanged him in the courthouse yard from an Elm tree that ironically was planted by Sheriff Harlow years prior to his death. The Missouri legislature was spurred to restore the death penalty in 1919 by public sentiment following Sheriff Harlow's murder.

Sheriff Harlow was elected to a third term in 1916. He was survived by his wife, Amanda Ann; daughters, Mabel, Leona, Carrie, Jessie, Vivian and Leila. His son, Walter Forrest Harlow, 18, also killed in this incident is shown in the family photograph below circa 1915. Interred: IOOF Cemetery, Golden City, MO.