Roll of Honor
Incident
Probationary Officer Bernard McKernan was found dead from gunshot wounds in an ally near 441 East 11th Street. Minutes later, a man was found lying on a lawn near 13th Street and Wabash Avenue. He had been shot in the hip, and Officer McKernan's revolver was beside him. He said a woman ran by him and dropped the revolver as she passed. He said when he picked it up, it accidentally discharged, the bullet hitting his hip. Detectives put slight credence in his story, but there is no record that he was ever charged. Officer McKernan had served with the Kansas City Police Department for eight weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-CF7820D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bernard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Probationary Officer McKernan served with the Kansas City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Probationary Officer McKernan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Probationary Officer Bernard C. McKernan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard C. McKernan's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard C. McKernan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard C. McKernan is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard C. McKernan was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
