Sergeant Daniel Sheehan was shot and killed attempting to arrest a suspect.

On July 19, 1885, a known badman wanted on five indictments over several months came to Joplin about noon on July 18th and went into the Famous 144 store. Sergeant Sheehan, Deputy Sheriff Julius Miller and George McMurty crossed the street to arrest him. The suspect, Joel Thornton, was at the counter and Deputy Miller approached him from the front telling him he was under arrest as Sergeant Sheehan approached from the rear. Thornton shook off Deputy Miller's grasp, turned and shot Sergeant Sheehan. Deputy Miller then regained control of Thornton and recovered the revolver. Officer Sheehan struggled to within feet of the doorway and fell. Officer Sheehan was taken to the doctor's office to receive treatment for a bullet wound in the abdomen with the bullet lodging in his spine. He passed away at 8:00 am the next morning. A mob took Thornton out of the jail at 2:00 am and lynched him, hanging him from the nearest tree. Sergeant Sheehan, 56, served on the Joplin Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, brother, and two sisters. Interment: Fairview Cemetery, Joplin, MO.