The 1933 Kansas City Massacre: The Tragic Morning That Shook the City
Scene in front of Union Station moments after the attack on June 17, 1933.
On the morning of June 17, 1933, Kansas City was the scene of a violent and tragic event that shocked the nation and led to significant changes in law enforcement.
This event, now known as the Kansas City Massacre, occurred outside Union Station and resulted in the deaths of four law enforcement officers and their prisoner, Frank Nash. This comprehensive story covers the history, the incident itself, and its aftermath.
The History and Criminal Background
Frank "Jelly" Nash
The Kansas City Massacre was an attempt by notorious criminals Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Vernon Miller, and Adam Richetti to free their friend Frank Nash, who was in federal custody.
Nash's criminal history was extensive. His first conviction came in 1913 for murder, but he was later pardoned. In 1920, he was sentenced to 25 years for burglary with explosives, but again received a pardon. By 1924, Nash was serving a 25-year sentence for assaulting a mail custodian at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. He escaped in 1930 and was implicated in the escape of seven prisoners from Leavenworth in 1931.
Nash's capture was a result of meticulous work by the FBI, which tracked him to Hot Springs, Arkansas. On June 16, 1933, FBI agents Frank Smith, F. Joseph Lackey, and McAlester, Oklahoma Police Chief Otto Reed apprehended Nash. They then transported him by train to Kansas City, arriving the next morning.
The Massacre
Aftermath of the massacre. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO
The massacre unfolded with shocking speed on the morning of June 17, 1933. Nash and the law enforcement entourage were met at Union Station by Special Agent in Charge Reed E. Vetterli, Agent R. J. Caffrey, and Kansas City Police Officers W. J. Grooms and Frank Hermanson.
Unbeknownst to them, a rescue operation was already in motion. Nash’s criminal associates, including Vernon Miller, Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, and Adam Richetti, were lying in wait to free him. Floyd and Richetti had arrived in Kansas City the night before, after a confrontation with local law enforcement in Bolivar, Missouri.
The lawmen escorted Nash through Union Station, vigilant but seeing no immediate threat. Nash was directed to sit in the front seat of Agent Caffrey’s Chevrolet, parked just outside the station's east entrance. Agents Lackey and Smith, and Chief Reed took positions in the back seat. Special Agent Vetterli, Officers Hermanson, and Grooms stood guard around the car.
Suddenly, two armed men emerged from behind a green Plymouth parked nearby, shouting, “Up, up!” Before the officers could react, the gunmen opened fire with machine guns. Officers Grooms and Hermanson were killed instantly, and Special Agent Vetterli was shot in the arm. Agent Caffrey, attempting to reach the driver's seat, was fatally shot in the head.
Inside the car, Frank Nash and Chief Reed were killed by the hail of bullets. Agents Lackey and Smith survived by falling forward, minimizing their exposure. Lackey was seriously injured, while Smith, miraculously, remained unharmed.
As the gunfire ceased, the assailants approached the vehicle to inspect their handiwork. Believing all the officers were dead, they shouted, “They’re all dead. Let’s get out of here.” They then fled towards a dark-colored Chevrolet. A Kansas City policeman, arriving on the scene, fired at the fleeing criminals, wounding Floyd, who continued to run despite his injury.
The entire ambush lasted barely 30 seconds. Tragically, four law enforcement officers lay dead: Officers Grooms and Hermanson, Special Agent Caffrey, and Chief Reed. Frank Nash, the intended rescue target, also lay dead, struck by friendly fire amidst the chaos.
Aftermath and Investigation
Wanted poster for "Pretty Boy" Floyd. Courtesy FBI.
The FBI launched an immediate investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits. Evidence, including fingerprints found at Miller's residence, pointed to Miller, Richetti, and Floyd. Miller was found murdered in Detroit in November 1933, likely the result of an altercation with another criminal gang.
Richetti was captured after a car accident in Wellsville, Ohio, in October 1934. Following a shootout, he was apprehended and later executed in 1938 for his role in the massacre. Floyd was killed in a shootout with law enforcement two days after Richetti’s capture.
J. Edgar Hoover. Courtesy - LOC.
The massacre had significant implications for the FBI and law enforcement nationwide. The event catapulted the rise of a young J. Edgar Hoover, who, as the head of the FBI, pushed for greater federal law enforcement powers and cemented his legacy as a central figure in the fight against organized crime.
As a direct result of the massacre, Congress granted the FBI statutory authority to carry firearms and make arrests, which significantly enhanced their operational capabilities.
The Kansas City Massacre was a dark chapter in the history of American law enforcement but also a turning point that led to reforms and strengthened the FBI’s role in fighting organized crime. It remains a stark reminder of the violent era of the 1930s and the struggle between law enforcement and the criminal underworld.
Introducing Mobsters & Mayhem
If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love my brand new course: Mobsters & Mayhem: The Story of the KC Mafia
Delve into the intriguing history of the Kansas City mafia, a notorious underworld empire with deep-rooted ties to politics and power.
This 10-part series is delivered directly to your email each week, covering the most important people, places, and events that shaped the mafia's reign in Kansas City.
You'll learn about:
Key figures like Johnny Lazia, Tom Pendergast, Nick Civella, and others that played an integral role in the mafia
Pivotal events like the Union Station Massacre, the River Quay Bombing, and Operation Strawman
Secret locations like Villa Capri, the Last Chance Tavern, and more!
It's a one-time payment of $29. Buy it now and get access to any updates I add later for free. If you've enjoyed this newsletter and want to learn more about the mafia in Kansas City, then Mobsters & Mayhem is for you -- sign up here!