Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Johnson succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 13 years earlier while attempting to arrest a man on a drunken rampage.
After the man grabbed a shotgun and threatened to clean up the town, the man's brother alerted Patrolman Johnson to the threats. Patrolman Johnson located the man but was immediately shot twice. The first blast struck him in the legs. The man then shot him in the abdomen at close range, causing a severe wound.
Patrolman Johnson never fully recovered from the wounds and died as a result of complications on July 19, 1923.
Patrolman Johnson was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Patrolman Johnson was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-E07DAF6C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Johnson served with the Ashland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William G. Johnson 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 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ashland Police Department, 6 of 6 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. William G. Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How William G. Johnson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William G. Johnson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William G. Johnson was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Ashland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
