Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gerald Johnson and Officer Ronald Grogan were shot and killed while responding to the scene of a mass shooting during which a man had gone on a shooting spree with a Ruger Mini 14 rifle, killing six civilians and wounding another 18. The suspect took hostages at a supermarket and as the officers arrived he opened fire on them, killing Officer Grogan before he was able to exit his patrol car. Officer Johnson was able to exit his vehicle and return fire before being struck in the foot and knocked down. As he was reloading the suspect approached him and shot him at point-blank range. The suspect was captured later in the night. He was convicted of the murders and was subsequently sentenced to death. While awaiting his execution he died of natural causes at age 82 on November 29th, 2009. Officer Johnson had served with the Palm Bay Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 9-year-old son, parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-9F5C431A- 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
You barely got started.
Officer Johnson gave the Palm Bay Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Palm Bay community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Gerald Douglas 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Palm Bay Police Department, 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. Gerald Douglas Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Gerald Douglas Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerald Douglas Johnson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gerald Douglas Johnson was killed by rifle; mini 14.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Palm Bay Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
