Circumstances of Death

Special Agents Eugene Wilder Campbell and Albert Klotz were returning to New Orleans after conducting investigations in Baton Rouge and Ethel. As they drove along Highway 61, in the right lane of a four lane highway, their government auto was struck by a tractor-trailer, which sent their vehicle into a spin resulting in a crash.

Agent Campbell was thrown from the vehicle and suffered a broken neck. He died in route to St. James Hospital in Lutcher, Louisiana. Agent Klotz was thrown into the back seat and suffered shock and injuries to his neck and shoulders. The truck driver, Marion Ridgell, stated, "I must have dozed." He was arrested by state police and charged with negligent homicide.

Background

Agent Campbell joined the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division on February 24, 1957. He was assigned to offices at Texarkana, Texas and New Orleans. Previously, Agent Campbell held varied and interesting positions prior to joining ATTD. He served in the U.S. Border Patrol; as a deputy sheriff in Tampa, Florida; a supervisory agent with the Florida State Beverage Department and a pilot with the Florida Game and Fishery Department. Agent Cambell "in his spare time" also obtained a law degree.

Personal

Agent Campbell was born in Plant City, Florida.