Chief John Bruner was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic around his crashed patrol car.

On January 6, 1937, Chief Bruner and a sheriff's deputy were returning to Jefferson City after transporting a prisoner to Kansas City when their vehicle skidded off of the highway near Lee's Summit. The officers exited the patrol car and were using flashlights to direct oncoming traffic away from the vehicle when Chief Bruner was struck. He died the following day at St Luke's Hospital of injuries including a skull fracture.

Chief Bruner was a WWI veteran, having served in the Argonne and St. Mihiel and received the Silver Star for heroism and gallantry. Following his release from the military, Chief Bruner worked for the Missouri Pacific railroad, where he was promoted to conductor in 1929, and continued there until he was hired as the chief of police in 1932. In 1936, he successfully lobbied the city for the first 2 short-wave radios for the city's police cars. Chief Bruner's father had been a prison guard in Jefferson City for 34 years, being promoted to captain, before he was elected constable of Jefferson Township. Constable Bruner served four terms up until his death in 1931.

Chief Bruner was a WWI veteran and a military Silver Star recipient. He was survived by his wife, Ella, and two sons. Service: Capitol Avenue Christian Church. Interment: Jefferson City National Cemetery with military honors.