Berckheim became a member of the Légion d'Honneur on 6 August 1805. He was appointed colonel of the 1st Cuirassier Regiment on 1 April 1807. As part of the 2nd Cuirassier Division, the 1st Cuirassiers were involved in a skirmish at Königsberg on 14 June 1807, the same day as the Battle of Friedland, which the regiment missed. According to one source, Berckheim fought at both Friedland and the Battle of Heilsberg. However, the battle honors of the 1st Cuirassiers do not include either action.