Vernon J. Stroeder
1925-1956
Officer Vernon Stroeder was born in Licthville, North Dakota. He grew up in Hillsboro and settled in Beaverton. Vernon attended two years of high school, then served four years in the Navy and had owned the Stroeder Café in downtown Portland.
Appointed to the Bureau on December 2, 1947 at the age of 23 he worked in Traffic out of the East Precinct.
The Incident
Officers Mizner and Stroeder were killed at the corner of 82nd Avenue and Stark Street when an automobile smashed broadside into their patrol vehicle. It was 9:30 in the evening of February 18, 1956. Witnesses reported that the automobile, occupied by two young airmen, was driving south on 82nd at speeds between 80 and 100 miles an hour, running red lights and constantly blowing its horn.
The police car was headed east on Stark and had entered the intersection on a green light when the accident occurred. The force of the impact drove the vehicle sideways about 100 feet into the parking lot of the Chinese Village restaurant. Both officers died at the scene. The driver was charged with negligent homicide.
Officer Stroeder was 31 and survived by his wife and three children.
Appointed to the Bureau on December 2, 1947 at the age of 23 he worked in Traffic out of the East Precinct.
The Incident
Officers Mizner and Stroeder were killed at the corner of 82nd Avenue and Stark Street when an automobile smashed broadside into their patrol vehicle. It was 9:30 in the evening of February 18, 1956. Witnesses reported that the automobile, occupied by two young airmen, was driving south on 82nd at speeds between 80 and 100 miles an hour, running red lights and constantly blowing its horn.
The police car was headed east on Stark and had entered the intersection on a green light when the accident occurred. The force of the impact drove the vehicle sideways about 100 feet into the parking lot of the Chinese Village restaurant. Both officers died at the scene. The driver was charged with negligent homicide.
Officer Stroeder was 31 and survived by his wife and three children.