Early Life
Born in Kimball, South Dakota, Miller moved 35 miles northeast to Huron in 1914 and began working as an auto mechanic. Two years later, Miller enlisted in the U.S. Army seeing action in the Mexican expedition into Mexico after repeated bandit raids across the border. After the United States entry into World War I, Miller served in France with the 18th Infantry Regiment (United States) and, decorated for valor and bravery, he would rise to the rank of color sergeant by the war's end.
After being discharged from the military in 1918, Miller returned to Huron and joined the city's police force as a patrolman. Resigning from the Huron Police Department in May 1920, Miller ran for the sheriff's office of Beadle County eventually winning the local election in November. Within two years however, Miller reportedly tired of the job and fled the area in early-1922 after withdrawing $4,000 in county revenue. Within a year, Miller was tracked down by investigators and convicted of embezzlement on April 4, 1923.
While imprisoned at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, Miller was able to become the warden's personal chauffeur and was eventually granted parole in November 1924.
Read more about this topic: Vernon C. Miller
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