Lester H. Johnson
Agency patch
Patrolman

Lester H. Johnson

New Orleans Police Department — New Orleans, LA
Felonious
End of Watch January 23, 1930
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Lester Johnson was shot and mortally wounded as he tried to arrest a man for reckless driving near Esplanade Avenue and North Rampart Street. He died at Charity Hospital five days later.

A suspect was arrested but released due to lack of evidence. On January 16th, 1941, he was shot and killed by a New Orleans police officer.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-0E54693E
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.
Patrolman Johnson served with the New Orleans Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.

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

Agency

Location New Orleans, LA
Platform Identity nopd.orleans.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 23, 1930
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Not available

Patrolman Lester H. 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.

New Orleans Police Department
86
of 128 officers
67.2% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% 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. Lester H. 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 Lester H. Johnson Compares

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lester H. Johnson is highlighted in Jan.

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. Lester H. 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