Circumstances of Death
Special Agent Vernon David Rogers was traveling via government automobile to Port Angeles, Washington, to conduct an investigation involving the smuggling of Japanese whiskey. Just outside Port Angeles, at the Morse Creek Bridge on Highway 101, a wheel on an approaching log truck broke off, causing the trailer and logs to drift across the roadway. As the truck continued across the bridge, the trailer struck the government vehicle causing significant damage. Agent Rogers was rushed to the local hospital, but had suffered major internal injuries and died that same day.
Background
Agent Rogers joined the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division on January 9, 1961. He was assigned to the Seattle Field Division. Previously, Agent Rogers was a deputy sheriff in San Jose, California. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1947 and the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1959.
Personal
Agent Rogers was born in Los Angeles, California. He was survived by his wife, Dorothy.
