National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Chief of Detectives

Memorial Panel: 16-E: 17

Department: Springfield, Missouri, P.D.

End of Watch: January 2, 1932

Cause: SHOT

Age: 50

Years of Service: 26

Description: Six lawmen were killed as they attempted to apprehend two suspects wanted in the murder of Greene County Marshal Mark Noe: Greene County Sheriff Marcell Hendrix, Deputy Ollie Crosswhite, Deputy Wiley Mashburn, Springfield Police Chief Detective Tony Oliver, Detective Sidney Meadows and Officer Charley Houser. This incident became known as the Young Brothers Massacre. Acting on a tip, an 11 man posse went to the family farm belonging to the Young clan and surrounded the residence. After witnessing the shooting of Sheriff Hendrix, Deputy Mashburn and Deputy Crosswhite, Officer Houser checked to see if he was able to move towards the house and was fatally shot between the eyes. Detective Meadows, like Officer Houser, was also fatally shot between the eyes as he attempted to get closer to the house. Detective Oliver was the last lawman to die as he attempted to run for safety amid a hail of gunfire. He was shot in the back and died within a few minutes. The suspects were able to escape capture and fled to Texas. When lawmen surrounded the residence where they were hiding, both suspects committed suicide.