Frank Hamer was one of the most famous and respected lawmen in American history. He was a Texas Ranger who led the posse that tracked down and killed the notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. He was also known for his courage, toughness, marksmanship, and investigative skills. He had a long and illustrious career in law enforcement, spanning over four decades. He faced many dangers and survived numerous gunfights, but how did he die? What was Frank Hamer’s cause of death?
Early Life and Career
Frank Hamer was born on March 17, 1884, in Wilson County, Texas. He was one of five sons of Franklin Augustus Hamer and Lou Emma Hamer. Four of his brothers also became Texas Rangers. His father was a blacksmith and Hamer worked with him while growing up. He also worked as a wrangler on a local ranch.
Hamer began his career in law enforcement in 1905, when he captured a horse thief while working on the Carr Ranch in West Texas. The local sheriff was so impressed that he recommended him to join the Rangers, which he did the following year. He served under Captain John H. Rogers in Company C, patrolling the Mexican border.
In 1908, he resigned from the Rangers to become the City Marshal of Navasota, Texas, a lawless boomtown wracked by violence. He moved in at age 24 and enforced law and order. He later served as a special investigator in Harris County, a deputy sheriff in Kimble County, and a federal prohibition agent.
Hamer returned to the Rangers in 1915 and was assigned to patrol the south Texas border from the Big Bend to Brownsville. He dealt with various types of criminals, such as arms smugglers, bootleggers, and bandits. In 1921, he was transferred to Headquarters Company in Austin and was promoted to Senior Ranger Captain.
Fighting the Ku Klux Klan
One of Hamer’s most notable achievements was leading the fight against the Ku Klux Klan in Texas in the 1920s. The Klan had gained considerable influence and power in the state, terrorizing minorities, immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and anyone who opposed them. They also infiltrated many local governments and law enforcement agencies.
Hamer was determined to stop the Klan’s reign of terror and corruption. He led several raids and investigations against the Klan’s activities, exposing their crimes and arresting their members. He also reportedly saved at least 15 people from being lynched by mob justice.
Hamer faced many threats and attacks from the Klan, but he never backed down. He once said: “I have never killed a man who didn’t need killing.” He earned the respect and admiration of many Texans for his bravery and integrity.
Hunting Bonnie and Clyde
Hamer’s most famous case was hunting down Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, two of the most notorious criminals in American history. The duo had been robbing banks, stores, gas stations, and killing people across several states since 1932. They were also part of a larger gang that included other outlaws such as Raymond Hamilton, W.D. Jones, Buck Barrow (Clyde’s brother), and Blanche Barrow (Buck’s wife).
The Barrow gang had eluded capture for two years, despite being pursued by hundreds of lawmen from various agencies. They were also idolized by some segments of the public as folk heroes who defied the authorities during the Great Depression.
In February 1934, Hamer was hired by Lee Simmons, the head of the Texas prison system, to track down and capture or kill Bonnie and Clyde. Simmons gave Hamer full authority to act as he saw fit, without any interference from other law enforcement agencies.
Hamer accepted the job and began his investigation. He studied the gang’s habits, patterns, routes, contacts, and hideouts. He also enlisted the help of other experienced lawmen, such as former Rangers Maney Gault, Bob Alcorn, Ted Hinton, as well as Louisiana sheriff Henderson Jordan and his deputy Prentiss Oakley.
Hamer learned that Bonnie and Clyde often visited their families in West Dallas. He also discovered that they had an accomplice named Henry Methvin, who had a father named Ivan Methvin living near Arcadia, Louisiana. Hamer made a deal with Ivan Methvin to betray Bonnie and Clyde in exchange for leniency for his son.
On May 23, 1934, Hamer and his posse set up an ambush near Arcadia on Highway 154. They hid in the bushes along the road while Ivan Methvin parked his truck on the shoulder with a spare tire removed to act as a decoy.
Around 9:15 am, Bonnie and Clyde appeared in their stolen Ford V8 and stopped to help Ivan Methvin. As they approached, Hamer and his men opened fire with their rifles and shotguns, unleashing a barrage of bullets that lasted for about 15 seconds.
Bonnie and Clyde were killed instantly, each receiving more than 50 bullet wounds. Their car was riddled with holes and blood. The ambush was so sudden and violent that Bonnie and Clyde never had a chance to fire back.
Hamer and his posse had finally ended the crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde. They received national attention and praise for their accomplishment. However, they also faced some criticism and controversy for the brutal manner of their execution.
Later Years and Death
After the Bonnie and Clyde case, Hamer continued to work as a lawman for various private clients, such as oil companies and shippers. He also served as a special investigator for the Texas Highway Patrol in 1948.
Hamer retired from law enforcement in 1949 and settled in Austin, Texas, with his wife Gladys Johnson Hamer, whom he had married in 1917. They had two sons, Frank Jr. and Billy. Billy was a Marine who was killed in action on Iwo Jima during World War II.
Hamer died in his sleep after suffering a heart attack on the night of July 10, 1955. He was 71 years old. He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin, next to his son Billy.
Hamer is widely regarded as one of the greatest American lawmen of the 20th century. He was inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in 1968. He has been portrayed by several actors in movies and TV shows, such as Denver Pyle, Kevin Costner, William Schallert, and Woody Harrelson.
Frank Hamer’s cause of death was natural, but his legacy lives on as a symbol of courage, justice, and honor. He was a hard man to kill, but an even harder man to forget.
