Incident
Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson was shot and killed near the intersection of North Third Street and Locust Avenue while making a traffic stop at about 8:20 pm.
He was responding to reports of a violent man damaging property at a home and threatening its occupants. During the response, he encountered the suspect driving away and conducted a traffic stop. The subject immediately exited his car and opened fire, fatally wounding Reserve Corporal Johnson before he had a chance to return fire. The subject abandoned his vehicle, fled the scene, and was arrested two days later.
Reserve Corporal Johnson had served with the Nyssa Police Department for almost five years. He had also served as a corrections officer with the Oregon Department of Corrections for 15 years and currently worked as a civilian employee for the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-E871C8CF- 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.
Reserve Corporal Johnson gave the Nyssa Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nyssa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Corporal Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Reserve Corporal Joseph 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nyssa Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Johnson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nyssa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.