William D. Johnston

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch October 3, 1887

Age 43

The Vigil Panel 9 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Policeman William Johnston was shot and killed when he tried to arrest a man who had been causing a disturbance at the Powelton Avenue Station of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

After being shot Policeman Johnston returned fire, but missed his assailant, who fled.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-10E27D9E
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

139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Johnston served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Location Philadelphia, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 3, 1887

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Not available

Policeman William D. Johnston 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious