KCPD Memorial Lest We Forget
Honoring the Fallen
Officer
Bernard J. McKernan
Kansas City, MO Police Dept
EOW: Friday, Jan 24, 1914
Age: 26
DOB: May 1, 1887
Tour of Duty: 2 months
Cause: Gunfire
Suspect information: At large

Officer Bernard McKernan was shot by an unidentified suspect.

Officer McKernan was found dead from a gunshot wound to the left breast, just above the heart, in an alley behind Percy Flats, near 409 East 11th Street, his revolver and police badge were missing.

Suspect Dexter Anderson, with two gunshot wounds, was discovered on the lawn of a residence at 1309 Wabash Ave with a knotted handerkerchief formed as a mask and Officer McKernan's revolver and holster lying on the ground near him. Information developed during the investigation determined that Officer McKernan, who had been sent to arrest women vagrants, had followed a woman accompanied by Dexter Anderson into an alleyway where Officer McKernan was shot and his revolver taken.

Officer McKernan was born in Kentucky and resided at 425 N. Drury Avenue, was with the agency for eight weeks was survived by his wife of eight years, Clara E. (Shoemaker) McKernan. Parents: Peter (born in Ireland) & Mary McKernan. His funeral was held at Holy Cross Church at St John & Quincy. Interred: Mount St. Mary's Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant

Kansas City Police Memorial