Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Johnston was killed in an automobile crash on US Route 220 approximately two miles south of Martsinsville when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.
It is believed that his patrol car's steering gear failed as he went around a curve, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway.
Officer Johnston had served with the Henry County Police Department for four years and served in the community of Fieldale.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-30273672- 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.
Police Officer Johnston gave the Henry County Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Martinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Johnston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Jefferson Johnston is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 203 of 654 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31% of this state's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Jefferson Johnston's cause is highlighted.
How John Jefferson Johnston Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John Jefferson Johnston is highlighted in Jan.