Joseph Alexander Johnson

Rome Police Department — Rome, GA

Felonious

End of Watch October 23, 1921

Age 57

The Vigil Panel 42 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Policeman Joseph Johnson was shot and killed after responding to the sound of shots being fired behind the Drummond-Morris hardware store on North 5th Avenue around 9 p.m.

Upon his arrival, Officer Johnson was informed that the man who fired the shots (a suspected moonshiner) ran under a nearby warehouse. Officer Johnson went under the warehouse to locate the suspect and engaged the shooter in a gunfight. During the gunfight, Officer Johnson was shot multiple times. The suspect was also fatally shot.

Policeman Johnson succumbed to his injuries on October 23, 1921.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Policeman Johnson served with the Rome Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rome community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Johnson.

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

Agency

Department Rome Police Department

Location Rome, GA

Platform Identity rpd.floyd.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 23, 1921

Age 57

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Shot and killed

Policeman Joseph Alexander 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Rome Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Rome Police Department

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious