End of Watch: Death of Sheriff Oscar Dawes and His Killer James Smedley McCormick

In July of 1919 44-year-old Sherrif Fred O. Dawes was approached by a grain company owner in Nevada, Missouri. The owner was experiencing theft of sacks of feed on his property. They left feed out to bait the thieves. In the shadows waited Sherrif Dawes and the grain owner. A man appeared around 10 p.m. and was taken into custody.

It was found that the thief was James McCormick. They took the suspect to the office of the grain company. Around 11 p.m. on July 17  Sherrif Dawes was emptying out his pockets and when he turned his back to put the suspect's keys on the desk James took the chance. He pulled a .32-caliber-revolver out and shot Sherrif Dawes in the heart. He fell to the ground dead. 

A gun battle ensued with two other officers for 10 blocks. James was shot twice and died a few hours afterward. None of the other officers were injured in this gunfight.

Sherrif Dawes was working with the Vernon County Sherrif's Department for 2 and a half years. After his death, his wife Sephronia was elected the first female Sherrif in Vernon County. She only temporarily did this for a few weeks till a new sheriff could be elected.

SOURCES:
Officer Down Memorial Page
Facebook
Find A Grave 
The Butler Weekly Times and the Bates County Record