Roll of Honor
Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II
Incident
Trooper Ervin Johnston died of heat exhaustion while participating in the department's agility training at the Criminal Justice Training Center in Selma. He had completed several exercises and a 1-1/2 mile run when he became disoriented and collapsed.
He was transported to a local hospital where he passed away.
Trooper Johnston had served with the Alabama Department of Public Safety for only one year.
Trooper Johnston's father, Officer Ervin Johnston I, had died in the line of duty only 18 months earlier while serving with the Livonia, Michigan, Police Department.
God of Justice, I am grateful for the lives and sacrifices of all America’s Peace Officers. They died serving us. Help us never forget. Help us celebrate their lives and honor their sacrifices. Be with the families of these fallen peace officers. Comfort them and give them Your strength and peace. Guide us as we seek to take care of the families of these fallen heroes. May we care for them with integrity. In commemorating the deaths of these fallen heroes, help us also to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition from this earthly life to the heavenly life yet to come. This assurance was guaranteed to all believers upon the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to that life to come with joy and anticipation. Thank You, Lord God, for hearing this prayer. In the mighty and holy name of Christ Jesus, Your dear Son, I pray. Amen.
Holy Scripture References:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16 ESV]
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, NACM Ordained NACM Minister The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired) Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998) June 16th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-A57E7866- 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
You barely got started.
Trooper Johnston gave the Alabama Department of Public Safety 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Johnston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AL, 23 of 643 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 3.6% of this state's fallen. That is 5.5 percentage points below the national rate of 9.1%.
At Alabama Department of Public Safety, 1 of 29 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 3.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II's cause is highlighted.
How Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from Alabama Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
