Joplin Detective Harry McGinnis and Shoal Creek Township Constable John "Wes" Harryman were killed in a gun battle with the notorious outlaw gang led by Bonnie and Clyde.

On April 13, 1933, Detective McGinnis, Constable Harryman and several other area officers had gone to their hideout at 3347 1/2 Oak Ridge Drive, in southern Joplin, to investigate what they thought were bootleggers. Neighbors had become suspicious of late hour activity of the house and reported it to the Highway Patrol. Troopers investigated and discovered that the registration on the vehicle didn't match that of the renters of the property. They reported the matter to Joplin Police who obtained a search warrant. Detective McGinnis, Constable Harryman, Troopers Kahler and Grammer, and Joplin Detective DeGraff went to the house at 4:00 pm. As they arrived Clyde Barrow, of the Bonnie and Clyde Gang, was at the garage door. The officers drove one car into the driveway to stop Barrow from closing the door. Constable Harryman jumped out of the car and was struck with a shotgun blast. Detective McGinnis exited the back seat of the opposite side of the car and was struck by another shotgun blast coming from the garage but was able to return fire. Automatic rifle fire erupted from the apartment windows striking McGinnis, nearly severing his right arm. The troopers and Detective DeGraff continued the gun battle but Trooper Kahler ran out of ammunition and Detective DeGraff sent Grammer for help. The gang then drove off continuing fire. Constable Harryman was pronounced dead on his arrival at the hospital. Testimony at the coroner's inquest indicated Constable Harryman had been shot 10 times with bullets severing with his injuries including two severed arteries in his neck and that it was probable that he was already dead when loaded into an ambulace at the scene. Detective McGinnis died later at the hospital at 11:00 pm.

Evidence discovered at the scene included undeveloped film including the first photos of the Bonnie and Clyde, recent parole papers and marriage license for Marvin Ivan 'Buck' Barrows, and diamonds from the Neosho Mining Robbery. The Bonnie and Clyde Gang was responsible for the murder and kidnapping of law enforcement officers in four states - Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas - between 1932 and 1934. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow started their criminal career by robbing banks and quickly became notorious killers wanted for the murders of nine law enforcement officers. Clyde had a well-known affinity for the 30-06 caliber Browning Automatic Rifle and a penchant for driving fast stolen Ford V-8 sedans.

Marvin 'Buck' Barrow was seriously wounded in the head and Blanche was nearly blinded by flying glass during a shootout at the Red Crown Tourist Court at Platte City, Missouri on July 19, 1933. Five days later the Barrow Gang was involved in yet another gun battle near an abandoned amusement park between Redfield and Dexter, Iowa. Bonnie, Clyde, and W. D. Jones all escaped after suffering wounds in the same gunfight. Buck Barrow, near death from his wounds, sustained another wound in the back and he and Blanche were captured. Buck fell into a coma died from his wounds after confessing to killing Alma, Arkansas Town Marshal Henry Humphrey. Blanche and W.D. Jones were eventually sentenced to prison. The criminals Bonnie and Clyde were finally shot and killed near Sailes, Bienville Parish, Louisiana when they were ambushed by a task force of Texas and Louisiana officers led by famed former Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer.

Detective McGinnis, 53, served with the Joplin Police Department for eight years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Matilda. Interred: Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, MO.

Constable Harryman, also a farmer, was elected Shoal Creek Township Constable of Newton County in November 1932. He was survived by his wife, Atha. Interred: Saginaw Cemetery.

Clyde Barrow's brother is incorrectly identified as Melvin in this poster.