Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Richard Johnson was shot and killed after responding to reports of a domestic disturbance in the Wisconsin Steel Company camp at Benham, Kentucky.
As he approached the home with a neighbor he encountered the drunk homeowner by a shed. As they began to speak the man struck him on the head with an axe, fracturing his skull. The subject then took his service weapon and shot him several times before stealing his watch, badge, and money.
The subject fled the scene and burglarized a neighbor's home, stealing a box of cartridges. He was located at the train station in Pineville by several men who had been deputized to help search for him. When they attempted to arrest him he opened fire on them, killing Special Deputy David Elliott. He was taken into custody later in the day following a shootout with other deputies.
He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison by the governor.
Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EB68E213- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Johnson served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Richard 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Johnson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Johnson was killed by edged weapon; axe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
