Union Station Massacre

On the morning of June 17, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri, four policemen and FBI agents were escorting convicted killer Frank Nash from the Union Railway Station back to Leavenworth State Penitentiary, from which he had escaped in October 1930.

There was some concern ahead of time that an attempt might be made to either rescue Nash or kill him before he was returned to prison. Although police and agents were armed with revolvers, shotguns, and machine guns, they were no match for what was awaiting them. When agents reached the parking lot, Nash was placed in the front seat, and while they were securing themselves and their weapons in the car, several men stepped from various hiding places, surrounding them, and began a barrage of rapid gunfire.

Nash, riddled with bullets, died immediately. Four others were also killed, and two FBI agents were wounded. This incident prompted FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to seek more power for the Bureau. As [Page 481]a result, the FBI received more funding, and agents were finally given full police powers and allowed to carry weapons at all times.

It was assumed, but never proven, that the alleged gunmen were Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Adam Richetti, and Verne Miller. There was speculation that Nash was killed on purpose to silence him because of close Mob ties. Other theories suggest that his death was unintentional. At this point, it seems, the truth will never be learned.