Prison Guard James Hart, Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri

Prison Guard James Hart

Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri

End of Watch Monday, February 4, 1924

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James Hart

Guard James Hart was beaten and strangled to death by three inmates who were attempting to escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary.

The inmates were able to make it out of the prison during a severe winter snowstorm but were tracked by officers and fatally shot.

Guard Hart had served with the Missouri Department of Corrections for three years.

Bio

Age 60
Tour 3 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Weapon Person
Offender Shot and killed

escape attempt

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Most Recent Reflection

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My heartfelt sympathy to the family of officer James Hart. My grandfather was one of the three escaping prisoners and he actually survived. He married my grandmother using an alias in 1925 and my father was born in 1926. He abandoned his family in 1937 and was recaptured in 1940. It weighs on me that I wouldn't exist if it weren't for the escape and the murder of James Hart. Peace to his memory and his family.

Matthew Quinn
Grandson of one of the prisoners

January 19, 2025