Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Ernest Johnson and Chief Michael Peltz were shot after responding to a crazed man with a gun call on 4th Avenue. A man had barricaded himself on his back porch and was threatening to shoot people. In an exchange of gunfire with several officers, Sergeant Johnson was shot in the abdomen and died at Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington. Two other officers were also wounded and the suspect was killed. Chief Peltz was transported to a local hospital where he died two days later. Sergeant Johnson was a U.S Army veteran of WWII.
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- 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. Ernest is one person.
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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.
Sergeant Johnson served with the Arnold Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Arnold 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
Ernest C. Johnson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Ernest C. 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Arnold 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. Ernest C. Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest C. Johnson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest C. Johnson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest C. Johnson was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Military Service
Ernest C. Johnson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ernest C. Johnson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Arnold Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
