Officer Bullinger was killed trying to break up a street fight.

On August 4, 1867, Officer Bullinger and another officer were drawn by crowd noise to a street fight at Bird Street and the levee with a crowd of 16 intoxicated people. As they tried to break up the fight the other officer lost his club to one of the fighters and was struck with the club several times and knocked to the ground. Officer Bullinger was also knocked to the ground and stabbed in the abdomen as he lay prostrate on the pavement by a known thief. Officer Bullinger was taken to his home where he received medical treatment for his wounds. Officer Bullinger made a statement identifying his attacker as Bill Myers who was found at his home and taken into custody. Officer Bullinger died from his wounds the following day.