Deputy Marshal Bruner drowned while attempting to cross the Grand River near Spavinaw, Oklahoma. He was attempting to serve several warrants for the Muskogee Federal Court before the end of the session. When he arrived at the river he discovered that the ferryman was on the other side of the river. He attempted to swim across the rain-swollen river but drowned.
His body was found the following day.
Deputy Marshal Bruner was survived by his wife and three children.
