Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman McCluskey was shot and killed after arresting a man in an alley for vagrancy. As he escorted the prisoner to jail the suspect, who was not searched or handcuffed, produced a .32 caliber handgun and shot Watchman McCluskey in the stomach. The shooting happened as the two crossed F Street, which is present-day Gateway Drive, near the old Madera County Jail. Watchman McCluskey succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The suspect, who was also wanted for several car thefts, was apprehended, convicted of second degree murder, and sentenced to ten years to life in prison. He was paroled in 1932.
Watchman McCluskey had been in law enforcement for 28 years and had been appointed Night Watchman only two months earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two stepchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-03BD3541- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Night Watchman McCluskey gave the Madera Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Madera community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman McCluskey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Bernard McCluskey is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Madera Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard McCluskey's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard McCluskey Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1932
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard McCluskey is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard McCluskey was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Madera Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
