Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler returned to his seat for the first time in nearly three months this week, marking a significant milestone in his recovery after being set on fire outside his office. The incident, which occurred on July 30, involved Shotsie Buck-Hayes, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding for allegedly pouring gasoline on Vogler and igniting him.
Vogler described his ordeal during the meeting, emphasizing the role of his family in his resilience. “My son is playing in the District Championship football game tomorrow, so I’m going to catch that,” he said. “I’m real excited. My daughter’s got a modeling show coming up. Those were two things that I really wanted to be here for.” He also credited his wife, Blair Vogler, and medical staff for their support, stating, “My wife was there every step of the way.”
Despite ongoing challenges, including limited mobility in his hands, Vogler expressed optimism about regaining full function. His goal, he said, is to return to a baseball field with his children. “I got to get a baseball glove on that left hand and a baseball on my right hand,” he declared.
Residents and colleagues greeted him warmly, with fellow council member Bryant Hood calling him “the originator of the Comeback City, aka the Comeback Kid.” However, Vogler did not address his relationship with Buck-Hayes, whose motive was revealed as a dispute over an alleged affair involving his wife. Danville Police Sgt. Gerrit Clay testified that Buck-Hayes told investigators, “he set the person on fire who had an affair with his wife.”
Buck-Hayes remains in custody, facing severe charges. Vogler’s return to city hall underscored his determination, though he acknowledged the long road ahead. “I still got a long road ahead of me,” he said. “I got a lot of work to do on my hands to get them back fully functional.”