SCBPO Chauntelle Bernard, a 42-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on November 28, 2019, in League City, Texas. She was fatally shot by her husband, Dudley Bernard, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, during a violent attack on Thanksgiving Day. The incident occurred in their home in the South Shore Harbor neighborhood, where Chauntelle's sister and young sons were present.
Dudley Bernard initially claimed that he accidentally shot his wife, but
evidence presented during the trial revealed a much darker reality. He kicked in the back door of their house and fired 13 rounds from a .45-caliber handgun at Chauntelle, hitting her in the arm, torso, and side of her head. As she lay on the ground, Bernard continued to shoot, unloading an additional six bullets into the back of her head execution-style.
The League City Police Department arrested Dudley Bernard without incident shortly after the shooting. He was later convicted of first-degree murder by a Galveston County jury in August 2022. On October 28, 2022, Judge John Ellisor sentenced him to 30 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after 15 years. The victim's family expressed relief that justice was served but acknowledged that the loss of Chauntelle would always be deeply felt.
Chauntelle Bernard was remembered as a "light" who brought joy and warmth to those around her. Her family described her as a phenomenal mother whose absence would leave a lasting impact on her young sons. The tragic loss of Chauntelle Bernard continues to affect her loved ones, who are still coping with the devastating aftermath of the crime.
