Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Johnson was shot and killed inside an apartment while attempting to arrest a woman for auto theft at the East Glen Elderly Apartments at 1801 Hagadorn Road in East Lansing. As he struggled with the woman, her male companion emerged from a bathroom and shot him in the back of the head. The two fled on foot to a nearby residence, where they shot and killed the unsuspecting owner. As they were trying to steal her car, they were arrested by police. The man was convicted of first-degree murder and second-degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The woman was acquitted of Patrolman Johnson's murder but was convicted of the other murder and sentenced to life. Patrolman Johnson was a United States Army Vietnam veteran and had served with the East Lansing Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-A8B5C53A- 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 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.
Patrolman Johnson gave the East Lansing Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Lansing 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
James Spencer Johnson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman James Spencer 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Spencer Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How James Spencer Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Spencer Johnson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Spencer Johnson was killed by handgun.