Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Neil Johnson was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute in which a man with a gun was demanding to see his family. When Chief Johnson arrived, the man shot him six times. As he laid on the ground the man shot him once more in the head, killing him. The suspect, 26, was later apprehended and charged with first degree murder. On May 3, 1952, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was released in 1967.
Survivors
Chief Johnson had been employed with the Blooming Prairie Police Department for three years and is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-159F3C47- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Johnson gave the Blooming Prairie Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Blooming Prairie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Neil R. 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 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. Neil R. Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Neil R. Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1967
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Neil R. Johnson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Neil R. Johnson was killed by handgun.