William Edward Johns

Gainesville Police Department — Gainesville, TX

Felonious

End of Watch August 2, 1931

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 62 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Officer William Johns and Officer John Clements were shot and killed by a man whom they had arrested a few days earlier, at which time they confiscated a shotgun. The suspect was released and attempted to have his shotgun returned but Officer Johns refused. The suspect located the two officers on East California Street and shot both of them with another shotgun. Officer Johns managed to return fire seriously wounding the suspect. The suspect was convicted of Officer Clements' murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was pardoned by Governor James V. Allred August 26, 1937. Officer Clements was killed instantly, however, Officer Johns did not succumb to his wounds until nearly a week later. He is buried at Valley View Cemetery in Valley View, Texas.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-A31CFC8F
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Johns served with the Gainesville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Johns.

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

Agency

Department Gainesville Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Gainesville, Cooke County, TX

Platform Identity gpd.cooke.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 2, 1931

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Officer William Edward Johns is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.

In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.4 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At Gainesville Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Gainesville Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,460

of 2,421 officers

60.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,587 officers

53.9% Felonious