Robert Vest was born in 1924.He joined the Cowley County Sheriffs department in March 1963 and, after training, was assigned to Arkansas City. On a cold Friday evening, January 17, 1964, he began his regular road patrol and headed toward Dexter. He was accompanied by his son Robert Vest, Jr. They had driven about nine miles east of Arkansas City by 8:45 p.m. when Vest apparently lost control of the patrol car. It went into the ditch and traveled about 200 feet before it turned over and stopped on its roof. Both men were brought to Memorial Hospital in Arkansas City.Robert Vest, Sr., died before morning; his son, at first reported in fair condition, recovered.