Special Agent Ballard White Turner

Ballard White Turner

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. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.