Kirk Leland Johnson

San Diego Police Dept. — San Diego, CA

Felonious

End of Watch February 20, 1983

Age 26

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 1862

The Vigil Panel 126 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 37

Incident

Patrolman Kirk Johnson was shot and killed by a 16-year-old boy who had stolen his father's sheriff's uniform and marked patrol car. When Patrolman Johnson pulled up to next to what he thought was a uniformed deputy in San Clemente Park the suspect opened fire, killing him. The case remained unsolved for over one month before another youth broke down at the dinner table and told his parents he and another boy were with the suspect when he shot Patrolman Johnson. Neither youth was charged. On April 1, 1987 the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 years to life in prison. Patrolman Johnson had served with the San Diego Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-0A7FA313
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.
Patrolman Johnson gave the San Diego Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.

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

Agency

Department San Diego Police Dept.

Location San Diego, CA

Platform Identity sdpd.sandiego.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 20, 1983

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 26

Badge Number 1862

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber

Offender stolen vehicle

Patrolman Kirk Leland 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At San Diego Police Dept., 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.

San Diego Police Dept.

of 38 officers

71.1% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious