Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Johnson was shot and killed by a jail escapee who he and another officer cornered in the basement of a home. Both officers returned fire killing the suspect. The officers had pursued the suspect as he escaped from the McDowell County Jail. Just seconds before he fled he shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Travis Milton French of the McDowell County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
Officer Johnson was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-5FEE4A34- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Johnson served with the Welch Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Welch 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
Police Officer Boss Johnson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Welch 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. Boss Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Boss Johnson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Boss Johnson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Boss Johnson was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Welch Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
