Chief of Detectives Jessie Laster
Joplin Police Department
Missouri
End of Watch: Monday, August 23, 1926

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, August 23, 1926
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Chief Laster was shot and killed by a bootlegger. Chief Laster was on his way home with his family when an armed bootlegger who thought the Chief’s car was occupied by other bootleggers trying to move in on his territory stopped his vehicle. When the suspect identified the driver as a Police Chief he shot and killed Chief Laster.

A few weeks later a man being sentenced to 15 years in prison for another crime in Missouri confessed to killing Chief Laster. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.