Incident
City Marshal Albert Johnston succumbed to gunshot wounds he received while arresting a migrant worker for committing an obscene act in public. As he walked the man to his patrol car, the man suddenly produced a handgun and shot him in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Marshal Johnston was able to return fire and kill the suspect. He then was able to crawl to his patrol car and turn on the siren to get help. He was transported to Helena Hospital where he succumbed to his wound several hours later. Marshal Johnston was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Elaine Police Department for 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-2041E43B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
City Marshal Johnston gave the Elaine Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elaine 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
Albert Clayton Johnston served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
City Marshal Albert Clayton Johnston is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Elaine Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Albert Clayton Johnston's cause is highlighted.
How Albert Clayton Johnston Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert Clayton Johnston is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert Clayton Johnston was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Elaine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.