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Ernest B. Vlasich
Incident
Special Agent Vlasich and Special Agent Ballard Turner were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a moonshiner in Vancouver, Washington. The two agents had gone to the man's home and 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 Steilacoom Mental Hospital; present day Western State Hospital.
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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.
Special Agent Vlasich gave the United States Department of Justice 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Vlasich.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition has lost 35 officers; 22 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 8 officers at United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 16 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 26. Of the 19 killed feloniously at United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 40; the middle age was 35. Ernest had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 1.8 years.
Ernest was 26. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ernest was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.1% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition; July holds the most, 31.8%. Fridays: 27.3%.
October holds 6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Fridays: 16.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.9% of all 35 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition has 35 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
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Dale F. Kearney
Jul 6, 1930
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Zaccheus Raymond Sutton
Aug 28, 1930
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John G. Finiello
Sep 19, 1930
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Mack Carroll Parsons Sep 20, 1930
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Asa Hawkins Dec 20, 1930
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Holmer L. Everett May 2, 1931
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Curtis C. Burks Jul 22, 1931
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Walter M. Gilbert
Jul 22, 1931
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John Irwin Wilson
Jul 22, 1931
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Raymond L. Ezzell
Jul 27, 1931
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Walter T. Creviston Jul 30, 1931
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George V. Trabing
Aug 19, 1931
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Lindsly P. Bulnes Jan 23, 1932
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Robert Mansfield Buck Feb 1, 1932
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Eugene Joseph Pearce
Feb 9, 1932
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Henry Harrison Jackson Apr 17, 1932
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Jack Elmer Kenford
Jun 14, 1932
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Eugene Jackson
Jul 31, 1932
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James G. Harney
Sep 23, 1932
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Ballard White Turner
Sep 29, 1932
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Howard Brooke Oursler Oct 12, 1932
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Ernest B. Vlasich
Oct 14, 1932
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Frank Allen Mather Oct 15, 1932
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Chester Arthur Mason
Nov 12, 1932
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William Theodore Balding
Nov 16, 1932
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Arthur James Sanderson
Dec 29, 1932
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William Smith Grubb
Mar 31, 1933
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Levi Gladstone Trexler Mar 31, 1933
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Leonard Agnew Welty
Apr 13, 1933
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Leroy Richard Wood Apr 16, 1933
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Harry Hampton Elliott
Jun 22, 1933
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Paul Albro Read
Jul 21, 1933
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Herman Sutton Barbrey Jan 5, 1934
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Parker Hittinger Hall Feb 3, 1934
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Herbert R. Johnson May 21, 1934
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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.
