Sheriff John M. Harlow, Jr.

John M. Harlow, Jr.

Sheriff John Harlow was shot and killed by a prisoner who was smuggled a gun while incarcerated in the county jail. The suspect shot Sheriff Harlow as the cell door was opened and the suspect was allowed to enter the hallway to make a phone call to his wife. The Sheriff's son was also shot when he entered the room and died six days later, and the suspect also fired at the Sheriff's wife. The suspect was arrested in Colorado and returned to Missouri. The man was sentenced to life in prison but was taken from the judge's chambers by an angry mob of citizens and hanged outside of the courthouse.

Sheriff Harlow was survived by his wife and seven daughters; his son was also killed in this incident.