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Incident
Night Marshal Oscar Hornberger was accidentally shot and killed by his partner in a case of mistaken identity.
He was assisting several sheriff's deputies and Perryville's day marshal to conduct a raid on an illegal liquor making operation at a farm eight miles northwest of Perryville. Night Marshal Hornberger mistook one of the other officers for a suspect and opened fire.
The other officer returned fire, fatally wounding him.
Night Marshal Hornberger had served with the Perryville Police Department for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Marshal Hornberger served with the Perryville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Perryville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Hornberger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Oscar is the only officer of Perryville Police Department remembered here.
Oscar is one of 242 officers lost to accidents in MO, 29.2% of the 829 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 3 officers in MO were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1930, 131 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
Who
Oscar was 38. Of the 226 lost to accidents in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 42; the middle age was 33. Oscar had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Oscar was 38. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Oscar had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oscar was 38. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Oscar had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 5.4% of these deaths in MO; August holds the most, 12.8%. Saturdays: 12.8%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Perryville Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 829 deaths in MO, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Perryville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.