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Incident
Officer Jimmy Johnson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained almost 30 years earlier as he and two other officers questioned an armed man.
The suspect had come into town with $20,000 in cash in preparation to conduct a large drug deal. As the man and a female acquaintance were watching a movie prior to the drug deal, someone broke into the man's truck and stole the money. The female alerted a gas station clerk that the man was armed with a shotgun and asked the clerk to call the police. Officer Johnson and two other officers located the suspect behind the First Tuesday Mall and blocked his truck with their patrol cars.
Both occupants of the truck exited the vehicle, and the officers recovered the shotgun from inside the truck. After speaking for a few moments, the man, a Florida prison escapee, pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and attempted to escape, holding Officer Johnson hostage.
The man retook possession of the shotgun and started walking Officer Johnson away from the scene. A struggle ensued, and the suspect shot Officer Johnson in the back with the .38 caliber revolver, severely wounding him. The suspect was shot and wounded in the ensuing shootout with the other officers and taken into custody.
Officer Johnson was partially paralyzed from the gunshot wound. He worked for months to learn to walk again but was only able to return to work as a Police Officer for a short time due to the extreme pain he suffered from the gunshot. He left the force in August 1983 and was awarded the department's two highest medals, the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart.
Officer Johnson passed away from the wound on May 26, 2010. His death was ruled a homicide by the county coroner from the effects of the gunshot wound sustained on November 11, 1980.
At the time of the shooting, Officer Johnson had served with the Carrollton Police Department for just under four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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.
Police Officer Johnson gave the Carrollton Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carrollton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Carrollton Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 2010, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 55. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. James had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James 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. James had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 3.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 12.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Carrollton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.5% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Carrollton Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Carrollton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
