Marshal George Greer was shot and killed by a man who had been drunk and ordered to go home by the marshal earlier in the evening. The man, Jim Jones, was drunk and declared his intent to fight with another man. He found the man and became involved in a fist fight with resulting in Jones being arrested. Jones was taken to the jail but released on bond set by his mother and on the promise he would go straight home. Jones instead went to a friend's home and got his shotgun, then went to a set of stables at the corner of Prairie and Center Streets. As Jones entered a hack the shotgun accidentally discharged attracting the attention of Marshal Greer and the city's night watchman, Henry Bolin. The officers and the suspect then exchanged fire as the man ran home. When the officers arrived at the home Marshal Greer forced their way in and was fatally shot once in the right chest, took several steps and collapsed. Night Watchman Bolin entered the residence, deflected the shotgun as Jones fired again and took Jones into custody. Jones was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Marshal Greer was survived by his wife and six children. Interred: Walker Cemetery, Bloomfield, MO.