Sheriff John H. Paynter

Sheriff John Paynter and Deputy William Harville were shot and killed while trying to serve a murder warrant on two men.

Sherifff Paynter summoned six men to assist him in making the arrest and proceeded about twelve miles from Stockton, on the Oceola Road, where they came to the house. When Sheriff Paynter and the men entered the house they found one of the men in bed. As they approached the man he fired a weapon at Sheriff Paynter, killing him instantly. He then fired at Lieutenant Harville, killing him. A third officer in the room fired at the man but the man was able to escape with a party of men that had been hiding outside of the house.

Sheriff Paynter had previously served with the 6th Missouri Cavalry Volunteers.