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Barton County Sheriff

Barton County Sheriff John Simpson

Sheriff's Office

1010 Cherry Street, Lamar, Missouri 64759, United States

417-682-5515 Fax: 417-682-5805

CIty tele coin visitation phone cards

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By Nancy Zoellner (Missouri Sheriffs' Association)

Sheriff John Simpson is putting his idea into practice.

 A few simple and uneventful ride-alongs in the passenger seat of a Liberal, Missouri squad car were all it took for 15-year-old John Simpson, who now serves as Barton County sheriff, to know law enforcement would be his life’s career... 

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Former Sheriffs of Barton County

 The list below is from several different sources including the BC Historical Society and the Lamar Democrat. Every attempt has been made to be as accurate as possible.


 1855-1857  Alexander Henry
1857-1864  James Sevely
1864-1866 Samuel Cones
1866-1868  William Morris
1868-1872  Henry Harrington
1872-1876  Morris B. Earl
1876-1878  John Jackson
1878-1882  Dennis Springer
1882-1886  Simon Finley
1886-1892  George Garrett
1892-1896 William Carl
1896-1898  Lee Livingston
1898-1901  William Phillips
1901-1904  John Harlow
1904-1906  John Slavens
1906-1908  William Evilsizer
1908-1912  Charles Harrington
1912-1916  William Evilsizer
1916-1919  John Harlow (killed 3.13.1919)
1919  Jim Pinkerton (appointed by special election after Harlow was killed)
1919-1920  William Sewell
1920-1924  William Noble
1924-1928  Lisby Garrett
1928-1932  William Noble
1932-1936  James Bassett
1936-1940  Chris Wattenbarger
1940  Roy Patterson (killed 8.17.1944)
1944-1945  Thomas Box (appointed until special election could be held)
1945  Chester Austin (elected 2.27.1945. Resigned 10.6.1945)
1945  Thomas Box (appointed by special election to replace Austin)
1945-1952  James Bassett
1952-1964  Cecil Blanchard
1964-1980  Calvin Dockery
1980-1985  Ron Jeffries
1985  Wayne Shackleford (appointed  after Jeffries retired)
1985-2004  William Griffitt
2004-2008 Shannon Higgins
2008-2020  Mitch Shaw

2020-Present  John Simpson
 

Sheriff John M. Harlow Jr.

End of Watch Mon, Mar 3rd, 1919

 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 Roy Patterson

End of Watch Thu, Aug 17th, 1944

 Sheriff Roy Patterson and his 18-year-old son were shot and killed by three robbery suspects on US 160.

The sheriff had been called at home at 4:00 am and notified that a gas station had just been robbed. The sheriff and his son immediately got dressed and responded to the area. The two parked their vehicle along the roadway and waited for the suspect vehicle to pass.

When they saw the vehicle they immediately overtook it and waved it over. After speaking with the three occupants the sheriff took one of the men's wallets and told them to turn around and drive back towards town as he followed. The suspect vehicle drove a short distance before pulling over. Two of the occupants approached the sheriff's car and pulled out their .32 caliber pistols and told the sheriff to give them his gun.

The sheriff immediately drew his weapon and fired a shot. The two men then returned fire, fatally shooting the sheriff. One of the suspects then shot the sheriff's son in the head, killing him.

All three suspects fled the scene and remained at large for almost one year. They were eventually apprehended, confessed to the murders, and sentenced to life in prison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at jsimpson@countyofbarton.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Apply in person at 1010 Cherry St in Lamar. More info on Job postings can be found on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page.


Visitations are held on Sundays. Currently the Sheriff's Office is not housing inmates due to remodel.


Item list will be provided when the Sheriff's Office resumes house inmates. 


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