Vernon Dorsett has been given the ultimate compliment by being referred to as a "Fireman’s Fireman." Chief Dorsett worked the day shift out of the Central Station, and he, like the other Assistant Chiefs, was required to go to all multiple alarm fires. He responded to such an alarm at the Hub Lumber Company at 5519 Lawndale shortly after reporting for duty. He received hisfatal injuries when his Chief’s car collided with a passenger car containing a woman who was taking her daughter to school. The accident occurred at the intersection of Harrisburg and Linwood on wet pavement. The Chief’s car slid into the passenger vehicle as it was attempting to get out of the way. Chief Dorsett was killed instantly; however, the mother and daughter received slight injuries.

A sad footnote: Chief Dorsett was to attend his daughter’s wedding that evening to give her hand in marriage. The Chief’s daughter Barbara was married two weeks after the tragedy.