Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tom Johnson was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a murder suspect wanted for killing a man while robbing a store in Red Rock a day earlier.
The Pawnee County Sheriff, Deputy Johnson, and another deputy went to a home near Pawnee where a Noble County Deputy Sheriff had located the suspect. As they approached, the suspect opened fire, killing Deputy Johnson instantly. As the other officers emptied their guns the suspect fled from the home and escaped.
The suspect, a notorious outlaw, who had escaped from the Kansas State Penitentiary in November of 1900, fled to Missouri where he changed his name and led a quiet life working for a farmer for seven years. In November of 1908 he was sentenced to four years in the Missouri State Penitentiary for stealing a horse. A few months later his true identity was discovered when another inmate recognized him and told prison officials.
The suspect was returned to Oklahoma where he was sentenced to life in prison January 29, 1912, for the murder of the man he killed while robbing the store in Red Rock. He died in prison September 19, 1950.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-45C44D1A- 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 Pawnee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pawnee 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 Tom 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Tom Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Tom Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Tom Johnson is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Tom Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Pawnee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
