Harry Vilardo - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 2/16/2012 USGenWeb NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. ************************************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************************************ Harry Vilardo - Madison Parish, Louisiana From Tallulah Madison Journal, March 17, 1967 Police Chief, Three Others Burn to Death Tuesday Tallulah suffered its worst tragedy in history Tuesday night when four of its prominent citizens were burned to death following a two-car collision shortly after 10 p m about a mile south of Tallulah on Highway 65. The victims include Tallulah's Police Chief James E. Rogan, Billy Pemberton, a logging contractor, Archie Fairbanks, a sheet metal air conditioning equipment installer and Harry Vilardo, also a businessman. The four men were riding in the car. The driver of the other car has listed as James Dempsy of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was taken to the Madison Parish Hospital. Dempsy, will be charged with four counts of negligent homicide as soon as he recovers from severe facial lacerations and other injuries will be taken to the hospital According to reports Dempsy told officers he must have dozed at the wheel before hitting the rear of Rogan's car. Upon impact the gas tank of Rogan's car burst into flames trapping the men inside. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 4 P. M. for Billy Pemberton, 40, at the First Methodist Church with the Rev. Clark Bell officiating. Burial was held in Silver Cross Cemetery. Pemberton was a native of Indiana and had been a resident of Madison Parish for 30 years. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Dora Pemberton, two sons, James Pemberton and William Pemberton; two daughters, ???? and Dianne Pemberton; and brothers, J. O. and Martin Pemberton, all of Tallulah. Pallbearers were Walter Scott, Collins Thomas, Jack Gilbert, Dick ????, L. Cummins, Louis Nettles, Woodrow Cagnolatti and Warren ????, Services for Chief of Police James Rogan, 33, were held at 1 P. M. at the First Baptist Church with the Rev John S. Hurt officiating. Burial was held at Providence Memorial Park, with services at the graveside. Rogan was a life-long resident of Madison Parish, a member of the Baptist Church, the Masonic Order and had been Chief of Police since November 1959. He is survived by his widow; daughter Patricia Ann Rogan, mother, Mrs. George Rogan; brothers, George Rogan, and Gerald Rogan, all of Tallulah and John Rogan of Lake Providence and three sisters, ???? Jones of Colorado, Mrs. Ruth Shiavek St. Louis, Mo. And Mrs. Faye ???? of Bay St. Louis, Miss. Pallbearers were Clayton Cox, Ogden, Carl Griffin, D'Elmer Williamson, Archie Autman, and ???? Perkins. Services for Archie Fairbanks were held at 10 a. m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church with Rev. John Hurt officiating. Burial followed in Silver Cross Cemetery. Fairbanks had lived in Tallulah 25 years and was a member of the Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge, American Legion, a veteran of World War II. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Jettie Fairbanks, one son, Archie Fairbanks, Jr., three daughters, Pattie, Marilyn and Margaret; his mother, Mrs. A. R. Griffin, all of Tallulah. Pallbearers were Bob Word, Rufus Yerger, Robert Todd, Ernest Stewart, Harold Ogden and Steve Ogden. Services for Harry Vilardo, 41, were held Thursday at 3:30 at St. Edwards Church with the Rev. Joseph Montalbano officiating. Burial followed in Silver Gross Cemetery. Mr. Vilardo was a lifelong resident of Tallulah, was a retail merchant and a member of the Catholic Church. He was a veteran of World War II and belonged to the American Legion. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Cleo Vilardo; five daughters, Sarah, Harriet, Angela Carolyn and Susie Vilardo all of Tallulah; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Vilardo of Tallulah. Pallbearers were Freddy Helton, James Bowles, Wayne Harkey, E. B. Towne, Wallace Luckett, and Roe Cagnolatti. Crothers Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.