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Incident
Deputy Wilfred Rorison was shot and killed while assisting federal prohibition agents in a raid of a still in a rural part of the county three miles north of Stevenson. When the officers arrived, they encountered one of the suspects making moonshine and attempted to arrest him. The man opened fire with a 30-30 rifle, fatally wounding Deputy Rorison. The other agents were able to return fire and kill the suspect. Another officer was wounded and recovered. Another suspect was arrested and charged with conspiracy in Deputy Rorison's death. He was acquitted of the murder but sentenced to six months for manufacturing liquor.
Survivors
Deputy Rorison was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Rorison served with the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Vancouver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rorison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clark County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Wilfred is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Wilfred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilfred is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wilfred was 35. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
Wilfred was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Wilfred was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 10.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Mondays: 12.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Clark County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Clark County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Wilfred among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Clark County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
