"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of the "Kansas City Massacre"

In 1933, one of the deadliest attacks on law enforcement in American history occurred. Four lawmen were killed in what soon became known as the "Kansas City Massacre."

(clockwise from top left) R.J. Caffrey, W.J. Grooms, Otto Reed and Frank Hermanson

McLean, VA (December 30, 2025) - Frank “Jelly” Nash was a convicted murderer and one of the most notorious bank robbers of the 1920s. While serving a 25-year prison sentence, he managed to escape from the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth. He remained a fugitive for nearly three years until he was finally captured in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1933. A few days later he was on his way back to Leavenworth. Seven law enforcement officers were with Nash at Kansas City’s Union Station, after his train ride from Arkansas, and were preparing to drive him back to Leavenworth. That’s when three hardened gangsters, including Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, launched a brutal submachine gun attack in a poorly planned breakout attempt. In a matter of seconds, hundreds of rounds were fired by the gangsters. The law enforcement officers never even had a chance to return fire. When the shooting was over, FBI Special Agent R.J. Caffrey, Kansas City (MO) Police Officer W.J. Grooms and Detective Frank Hermanson were dead, along with McAlester (OK) Police Chief Otto Reed. Three other FBI agents, Frank Smith, R.J. “Red” Lackey and Special Agent in Charge Reed Vetterli survived the attack. Also killed in the attack was the man the gangsters were trying to free, Frank Nash. More than 90 years later, the “Kansas City Massacre” still ranks as one of the most brazen and deadliest attacks on law enforcement in American history.

Listen to the podcast to learn more: https://open.substack.com/pub/behindbadge/p/heroes-live-forever-the-story-of-a34