Jailer Henry Bugler was shot and killed by Quantrill's guerrillas while defending the Jackson County jail in Independence, Missouri.

On June 13, 1866, at about 10:00 pm, six or seven well-armed men rode into town and attacked the Jackson County jail. The horsemen demanded the prisoner, horse thief named Joab Perry, be released. The riders stood only a few feet from Jailer Bugler when he raised his gun. Jailer Bugler was struck by a volley of shots fired by the bandits before he could fire. Jailer Bugler was struck through the heart and a wild shot struck Jailer Bugler's 4-year-old son in the wrist as he lay in an upstairs in bed. Local residents responded to the jail but the horsemen escaped.

As a result of this murder and the outrage brought on within the city a company of 100 loyal men was formed to be kept as a posse to enforce the law.

Jailer Bugler, born in Ireland, was also elected City Marshal of Independence on June 5, 1866, shortly before his death. He was survived by his wife who was also born in Ireland and seven children. Interred: St Mary's Cemetery, Independence, Missouri.

In 1871 the jail was placed in control of the newly appointed Jackson County Marshal for 53 years until 1924 when the sheriff again assumed the duties of the jail and the county marshal pursuant 1921 legislation.