Gus Johnson
Agency patch
Deputy Constable

Gus Johnson

Floyd County Constable's Office — Prestonsburg, KY
Felonious
End of Watch August 26, 1937
Age 35
The Vigil Panel 73 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Constable Gus Johnson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had been firing his gun in the roadway.

The suspect was accompanied by several other men who had also been shooting.

Deputy Johnson requested help from two Wheelwright police officers before approaching the men. The officers arrested the man's companions, but the man fled into a nearby garage.

As Deputy Johnson shined his light into the garage the man opened fire, mortally wounding Deputy Johnson. Despite the wound, he was able to return fire and killed the suspect.

Deputy Johnson succumbed to his wounds while being transported to a hospital in Pikeville, Kentucky.

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 26th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A4C2B48A
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Constable Johnson served with the Floyd County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Prestonburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Johnson.

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

Agency

Location Prestonsburg, KY
Platform Identity fcco.floyd.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 26, 1937
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Constable Gus Johnson 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Floyd County Constable's Office, 11 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Floyd County Constable's Office
11
of 11 officers
100% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Gus Johnson Compares

Age at End of Watch
35
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gus Johnson is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gus Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location