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Incident
Officer Bill Johnson was struck by a drunk driver and killed while investigating two suspicious people walking along Ohio 73 at 12:30 am. Officer Johnson was traveling eastbound on Ohio 73 when he stopped in the right-hand lane to talk to two people standing on the road. When he exited his patrol cruiser, a truck traveling eastbound hit the rear of his vehicle and then struck Officer Johnson. He was transported to Sycamore Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The drunk driver was placed on work release while in the county jail and released after three months. Officer Johnson was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Springboro Police Department for nine years and previously served with the Clearcreek Township. He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters. In 2023, his grandson was sworn in as a Springboro Police Officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Johnson gave the Springboro Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springboro community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William L. Johnson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Springboro Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1983, 5 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 48. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 48. 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. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 14.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Springboro Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
William L. Johnson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit William L. Johnson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Springboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.