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Incident
Chief Samuel Johnson was shot and killed when he was ambushed while responding to shots fired call on Pillar Point at 6:30 pm. A man had just murdered a friend and then went to a nearby intersection and set up an ambush. As Chief Johnson responded to the shots fired call, not knowing a murder had been committed, he slowed at the intersection to turn when the suspect opened fire on him with the shotgun. Chief Johnson's patrol car ran into a guard rail, where the man came up and shot him several more times before stealing his radio and service weapon. After other units failed to reach Chief Johnson on the radio, they went to investigate and found where he had been shot. After a high-speed pursuit, the suspect was shot several times and wounded. He pleaded guilty for the reason of insanity and was committed to a state hospital. Chief Johnson had served with the Dexter Police Department for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and five children. The State Highway 180 Bridge was renamed the Samuel A. Johnson Memorial Bridge.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Johnson gave the Dexter Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dexter community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Samuel is the only officer of Dexter Police Department remembered here.
Samuel is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 9 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 55. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Samuel had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Samuel was 55. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 13.8% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Dexter Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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