Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert Johnson was shot and killed, and another officer was shot and wounded at approximately 10:30 pm as a result of a parking problem. They had just gotten off duty and became involved in the altercation near the intersection of Benning Road and 43rd Road, NE. The suspect told them he would be back to settle it after both officers identified themselves. When he returned, he unexpectedly opened fire on them. Officer Johnson was taken to DC General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next day. He was the third Metropolitan police officer killed in two months and the second killed within one block of a police station. Both suspects in his murder were convicted of first-degree murder on May 22nd, 1998. The shooter was sentenced to 51 years to life in prison, and his accomplice was sentenced to 46 years to life. Officer Johnson had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-2355B866- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Johnson gave the Metropolitan Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert Louis Johnson Jr. 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Louis Johnson Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert Louis Johnson Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Louis Johnson Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Louis Johnson Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
