In the late summer of 1922, a young lawman's life was tragically cut short in the rural outskirts of Clark County, Washington. Deputy Sheriff Wilfred E. Rorison, a 26-year-old White male, had only recently joined the sheriff's office when he became involved in a fatal confrontation on August 7th. Rorison had received a tip about an illegal still operation and had relayed this information to federal prohibition agents.
On that fateful Monday, Deputy Rorison accompanied two federal agents from Seattle to a location three miles north of Stevenson to conduct a raid on the moonshine still. Upon their arrival, the officers discovered one of the suspects actively engaged in the production of illicit liquor. As they attempted to arrest the man, he opened fire with a 30-30 rifle. Deputy Rorison was struck by the gunfire and fatally wounded.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, the other law enforcement agents managed to return fire, killing the suspect who had shot Rorison. A second officer was also wounded during the shootout but ultimately recovered from his injuries. Another suspect who was present at the scene was taken into custody and subsequently faced charges of conspiracy in connection with Deputy Rorison's death.
The arrested suspect was later acquitted of the murder charge but was found guilty of manufacturing liquor and sentenced to six months in jail. At the time of his death, Deputy Rorison was survived by his wife, son, and daughter, as well as his parents, leaving a family to mourn the loss of a dedicated officer who died in the line of duty during the tumultuous era of Prohibition.
