Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Johnson was shot and killed in the Oakland section of Contra Costa County while attempting to serve a writ of ejectment.
As he attempted to evict the man he was shot in the chest and killed. A grand jury failed to indict the subject.
Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-AC7840D0- 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
174 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Johnson served with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Martinez community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William R. 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 Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William R. Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Not indicted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Johnson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

