Charles R. Johnston

Metropolitan Police Department — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch May 9, 1943

Age 24

The Vigil Panel 80 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 130

Incident

Officer Charles Johnston was shot and killed while responding to a shooting call at 617 21st Street, NE. The roommate of an off-duty officer had stolen the officer's weapon and shot his wife several times. Officer Johnston was the first uniformed officer on the scene. He entered the house and as he looked around a corner the suspect shot him in the head. The subject was apprehended at the scene. He sentenced to death and subsequently executed on December 14th, 1945. Officer Johnston was assigned to the Traffic Division.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-DC-7271CCDF
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.
Officer Johnston served with the Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Johnston.

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

Agency

Department Metropolitan Police Department

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity mpdc.dc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 9, 1943

Age 24

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Executed in 1945

Officer Charles R. 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.

Metropolitan Police Department

of 131 officers

53.4% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious