Elliott S. Johnson
Agency patch
Special Officer

Elliott S. Johnson

Thomaston Police Department — Thomaston, ME
Felonious
End of Watch September 1, 1973
Age 45
The Vigil Panel 112 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Officer Elliot Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle that attempted to run a roadblock. The driver of the vehicle, which was being driven chased by a Rockland police officer when he drove into the roadblock setup by Officer Johnson. The 23-year-old driver was slightly injured. His male passenger was killed. The suspect, serving 2 to 4 years for breaking and entering at Thomaston Prison, was out on a weekend furlough. He was convicted of two counts of reckless homicide and sentenced to two 2.5 to 5-year terms to be served consecutively. On November 2, 1977, he escaped from prison, was quickly captured, and had more time added to his sentence. Officer Johnson was a volunteer officer with the agency and was employed as a janitor and bus driver for the local high school.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-C91B2CFE
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.
Special Officer Johnson served with the Thomaston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Thomaston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Johnson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Thomaston, Knox County, ME
Platform Identity tpd.knox.me.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 1, 1973
Age 45
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

Special Officer Elliott S. 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 42.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Thomaston Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Thomaston Police Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
ME — Statewide
43
of 102 officers
42.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elliott S. Johnson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Elliott S. Johnson Compares

Age at Death
45
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elliott S. Johnson is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elliott S. Johnson was killed by automobile.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Thomaston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.