Jefferson City Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 7, 1936
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: January 7, 1936
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Chief John Bruner was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic around his crashed patrol vehicle. He and a sheriff's deputy were returning to Jefferson City after transporting a prisoner to Kansas City. During the drive back 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.
Chief Bruner was a WWI veteran and a military Silver Star recipient. He had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his wife, two sons, and mother.