This Day in History: Ohio State Highway Patrol Remembers Trooper Charles Vogel
January 24, 1980
On the afternoon of Thursday, January 24, 1980, the Ohio State Highway Patrol suffered a tragic loss when Trooper Charles “Chuck” Vogel, age 25, was killed in the line of duty while serving the people of Ohio.
Trooper Vogel, who was assigned to the Springfield Patrol Post, was investigating a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near State Route 68 when the incident occurred. As he stood in the median assessing the scene, another vehicle lost control on the icy, snow-covered roadway and struck him. Trooper Vogel sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
A young trooper with a promising career ahead of him, Vogel was a member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 104th Academy Class, which graduated on January 12, 1979—just over one year before his death. Despite his short time on the force, his commitment to duty and public safety left a lasting mark on those who served alongside him.
Trooper Charles Vogel was the 28th member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol to lose his life in the line of duty, a solemn reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face while protecting motorists, especially during hazardous winter conditions.
Today, more than four decades later, Trooper Vogel’s sacrifice is remembered and honored by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, fellow law enforcement officers, and the communities he served.
Rest in Peace, Trooper Charles Vogel. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
