Holt County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska
End of Watch: Monday, March 28, 1881
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 28, 1881
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Sheriff Bernard Kearns was shot and killed after breaking up a disturbance being caused by a group of cowboys.
One of the men was able to get a friend to accompany him to confront the sheriff later in the day. When they did so, the friend opened fire on Sheriff Kearns, killing him.
Despite being mortally wounded, Sheriff Kearns returned fire, but accidentally wounded a deputy who was coming to his aid.
The suspect was acquitted of Sheriff Kearns' murder.