Missouri State Troopers Association’s
Bonnie & Clyde Fundraiser
Benefiting The MASTERS

In January 2009, the Public Information and Education Division and the NRA Foundation began a joint project. The project encompassed firing rounds from the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) that is displayed in the Patrol Museum’s Bonnie and Clyde Exhibit, into a five-gallon bucket of sand and then retrieving the bullets and casings. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers seized this rifle after a shootout with law enforcement at Bonnie and Clyde’s hideout in Joplin, Missouri, in April 1933.

The Firearms Section of the Patrol’s Crime Lab checked the safety and functionality of the weapon prior to its use. The lab then cleaned and oiled the rifle, which functioned without fail. The basic idea behind the project was to create a display case to include pictures, certificates of authenticity, and the actual bullets and casings fired from the rifle for fundraising purposes.

The NRA Foundation donated $1,000 in supplies and labor for exhibit upgrades and development to the Patrol’s Safety Education Center at General Headquarters in appreciation of their participation in this project.

The Public Information and Education Division received 45 of the fired rounds and chose to include the Missouri State Troopers Association and The MASTERS in the project. The Troopers Association took the 45 rounds and developed a very nice display, in which each one contains one of the spent rounds, a certificate of authenticity signed by Colonel James F. Keathley, Bonnie and Clyde pictures, finger print cards, and a Patrol Challenge Coin. There is also a copy of the original 1933 Patrol report describing the contact and shootout with Bonnie and Clyde in Joplin, Missouri, where the weapon was seized, attached to the back of the display case.

The Missouri State Troopers Association is currently taking bids for the first 10 display cases numbered 1 of 45 through 10 of 45, (example pictured below). The dimensions of the display cases are 24” (h) x 30” (w) with a depth of 7/8”. The Troopers Association is located at 1729 E. Elm Street in Jefferson City, and they can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-621-5094 or locally at 573-635-5500. Bids will be accepted through May 18, 2009.

Display cases numbered 11 of 45 through 45 of 45 will be available for purchase from the Missouri State Troopers Association at a later date. The exact price will be determined at that time. All inquiries regarding these additional cases should be directed to the Troopers Association. Display cases are on exhibit in the Public Information and Education Division at GHQ and at the Missouri State Troopers Association.