Deputy Marshal James Bernard was shot and killed attempting to arrest an intoxicated man.

On Christmas eve 1877, Deputy Marshal Bernard addressed a young man, William Watkins, who had become intoxicated and was using profane and abusive language. Another deputy marshal had arrested the man at about 8:00 pm and was taking him to the calaboose when another brother stated that they would take the man off of the street and assume responsibility for the man's fine. The deputy consented but as the men moved up the street with the other men but as they came to be at a point outside of Dr. Mosby's Drug Store the man stopped and refused to move. His friends being unable to quiet him, Marshal Bernard made the arrest and again started with the man to the calaboose. The man's father stepped in front of the marshal and refused to allow him to go further. Then the marshal was jerked off of the sidewalk and the marshal knocked the father down. Another man, later identified as the arrested man's brother, Frank Watkins, drew his pistol and fired the ball striking the marshal who was taken into the drug store where he died a short time later. The shooter, Frank Watkins, was arrested during the night and held in jail.

Deputy Marshal James Bernard was survived by his wife. Interred: Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, MO.