Al attended elementary school through junior high school in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and graduated from Quaker Valley High School in 1960. Al worked various jobs until 1966 when he was hired as a police officer for the Sewickley Borough. He remained with the Sewickley Police Department until April of 1967 when he enlisted with the Pennsylvania State Police.

Al graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in July of 1967. After graduating from the State Police Academy, Al was assigned to Troop D- Butler where he spent his entire career of twenty-five years. While serving with the State Police, Al worked in the areas of Patrol, Crime, and Community Relations. Al retired from the Pennsylvania State Police in April of 1992.

In January of 1993, following his retirement from the State Police, Al went to work for Butler County Domestic Relations as a Butler County Deputy Sheriff. He retired as a Sheriff from Butler County Domestic Relations in June of 2004. Al then worked as a Contract Investigator conducting background investigations for the government. Since May of 2008, Al has been working full-time for the Butler Area School District as a School Police Officer.

When he’s not working, Al enjoys spending time with his wife, Mickey, and their children and grandchildren. Trooper Albert R. Vish has been an Oral History volunteer interviewer since 2006.