Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Policeman William Johnson was shot and killed when he surprized three burglars attempting to enter the Kroger Store. All three were captured a short time later.
One of the suspects admitted that he alone shot Policeman Johnson. On March 16, 1929, he was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Frankfort. One of the other suspects was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-44419935- Stewardship
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- 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.
Night Policeman Johnson served with the Walton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Walton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman William Lee 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Lee Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How William Lee Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Lee Johnson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Lee Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.