Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Kirk Johnson was shot and killed by a 16-year-old boy who had stolen his father's sheriff's uniform and marked patrol car. When Patrolman Johnson pulled up to next to what he thought was a uniformed deputy in San Clemente Park the suspect opened fire, killing him. The case remained unsolved for over one month before another youth broke down at the dinner table and told his parents he and another boy were with the suspect when he shot Patrolman Johnson. Neither youth was charged. On April 1, 1987 the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 years to life in prison. Patrolman Johnson had served with the San Diego Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-0A7FA313- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Kirk is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Johnson gave the San Diego Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Kirk Leland Johnson served in the U.S. Army (1975â1979) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Kirk Leland Johnson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Diego Police Department, 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kirk Leland Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Kirk Leland Johnson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kirk Leland Johnson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kirk Leland Johnson was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Kirk Leland Johnson served in the U.S. Army (1975–1979) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Kirk Leland Johnson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
