Chief of Detectives Jesse 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 Chief Laster's vehicle. When the suspect identified the driver as a police officer he shot and killed Chief Laster.

William Greco Webb and Linvel C. Boswell, both convicts confessed and plead guilty to the murder of Chief Laster and were sentenced to life. Boswell later recanted and was released from prison. William Greco Webb, 46, the principal suspect in the crime, died in prison in Lansing , Kansas where he completed his life sentence for the murder of Chief Laster.

Chief Laster was survived by his wife, Myrtle, and son. Interred: Fairview Cemetery, Joplin, MO.