Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NE-0261D902- Stewardship
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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
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Kearns served with the Holt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the O'Neill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Bernard F. Kearns 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 NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard F. Kearns's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard F. Kearns Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard F. Kearns is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard F. Kearns was killed by gun; unknown type.