Being an African American police officer, Bishop was under the command of Officer J. McCormick.  Although they shared the same title, Bishop wasn't considered equal by the other white officers in the police department.

Bishop was an asset to the department by trying to better the relations between the white police officers and the African American Community in the Scrub.  On the other hand the community of the Scrub ridiculed him as a traitor because of his representation of the oppressive white power structure, as well as allowing himself to be the token black officer on the police squad.

Bishop didn't look at the situation from the same angle.  He felt he was providing a positive example for himself as well as the opinions taken on by the community and the white police force. 

On the night of McCormick's death, he and Bishop responded to a
complaint at Salter's Tavern, located in the Scrub.  While breaking up a
fight between Lula Williams and Ella Felters, Harry Singleton (Ella
Felters' significant other), charged Officer McCormick from a blind spot, 
shooting him at point blank range in the abdomen, causing almost
instant death. 

In defense of McCormick, Bishop drew his revolver, firing
at Singleton as he ran from the scene, but the bullet hit a nearby horse
instead. Bishop was never questioned about his attempt to stop Singleton
from escaping.