Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable John Bernauer was shot and killed north of Patterson while attempting to arrest the man who had fatally shot Constable Henry Crocha the previous month.
Constable Bernauer had learned that the man was in Patterson and went in search of him with a citizen. They located the man on the roadway north of Patterson, but because Constable Bernauer did not recognize him, approached him in their buggy. When Constable Bernauer addressed him by name the man opened fire with a Winchester rifle, fatally wounding Constable Bernauer and wounding the citizen.
Despite his wound, Constable Bernauer returned fire with a shotgun and wounded the man in an arm. The man fled but was arrested several days later. He was convicted of Constable Bernauer's murder and subsequently executed on August 18th, 1899.
Constable Bernauer was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Constable Bernauer was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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Constable Bernauer served with the St. Mary Parish Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John Bernauer 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Mary Parish Constable's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Bernauer's cause is highlighted.
How John Bernauer Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1899
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Bernauer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Bernauer was killed by rifle; winchester.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from St. Mary Parish Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
