Night Marshal Oscar Hornberger was shot and killed during a raid.

Night Marshal Oscar Hornberger and Day Marshal Elliot Nelson were requested to assist Perry County Sheriff's Deputy Noel Nance in conducting a raid on an illegal liquor making operation run by St Louis Italians on a farm 8 miles north of Perryville. During the raid conducted in the dark, Night Marshal Hornberger mistakenly identified the shotgun armed Day Marshal Nelson in the dark as a bootlegger and opened fire missing his target. Day Marshal returned fire with his shotgun and wounded Night Marshal Hornberger in the right hand and abdomen. Night Marshal Hornberger was rushed to Lutheran Hospital in St. Louis where he died of his injuries on April 19, 1930 at 7:45 am. The County Prosecutor deemed the shooting to be accidental and no charges were filed.

Night Marshal Oscar Hornberger had served as a deputy sheriff under his brother-in-law Sheriff Geroge Meeker until a short time ago and he became Night Marshal for Perryville on December 1, 1929.