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Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston I
Incident
Officer Ervin Johnston suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after assisting a mentally ill man return to his group home.
Officer Johnston was dispatched to a call involving a man standing in the snow. After arriving, he learned that the man lived in a nearby group home. As he walked the man to his patrol car the man slipped and fell on Officer Johnston.
He returned the man to the home and returned to his patrol duties. He was found collapsed in his patrol car approximately one hour later.
Officer Johnston had served with the Livonia Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq3h9cgevmftf50w38s2- Stewardship
- 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ervin is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Johnston gave the Livonia Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Livonia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Johnston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston I served in the U.S. Army (1982â1985) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Livonia Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Ervin is one of 39 officers lost to cardiac events in MI, 5.5% of the 703 remembered there.
Ervin is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ervin is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 1 officer in MI was lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 34 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 2007, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2007, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ervin was 45. Of the 37 lost to cardiac events in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 54; the middle age was 49. Ervin had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Ervin was 45. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ervin had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ervin was 45. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ervin had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in MI; May holds the most, 15.4%. Fridays: 15.4%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.8%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Livonia Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.5% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Livonia Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Ervin among them.
Military Service
Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston I served in the U.S. Army (1982–1985) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston I’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Livonia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
