Roll of Honor
Ballard White Turner
Incident
Special Agent Ballard Turner and Special Agent Ernest Vlasich were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a moonshiner in Vancouver, Washington. The two agents had gone to the man's home, purchased two gallons of moonshine whiskey, and then immediately attempted to place the suspect under arrest. The man produced a .380 caliber handgun and opened fire, killing Agent Turner instantly and mortally wounding Agent Vlasich, who died just over two weeks later. A tip led to the capture of the suspect, 48, at a cabin four miles east of Vancouver. He was sentenced to life at Walla Walla State Prison. He died on September 28, 1958, at Fort Steilamoon Mental Hospital; present-day Western State Hospital. Special Agent Turner was a United States WWI Army veteran and had served with the United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-42EEE6D5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent Turner served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ballard White Turner served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Agent Ballard White Turner is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition, 22 of 35 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ballard White Turner's cause is highlighted.
How Ballard White Turner Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ballard White Turner is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ballard White Turner was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
34 officers from United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
