Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Robert Johnston died after developing gangrene as the result of a wound sustained when he was kicked in the leg 11 months earlier while making an arrest at the intersection of 31st Street and Giles Avenue.
He and his partner were interviewing two men when a third man approached. The officers ordered the third man to leave the area but he refused and began struggling with the officers. During the struggle he kicked Sergeant Johnston in the shin, causing a cut. The cut eventually became infected and led to Sergeant Johnston's death.
The suspect was originally fined only $10 and was never charged in connection with Sergeant Johnston's death.
Sergeant Johnston had served with the Chicago Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and twin daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-9CAD6C18- 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.
Sergeant Johnston gave the Chicago Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Johnston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Robert L. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert L. Johnston's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Johnston Compares
Offender Outcome
Fined $10
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Johnston is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Johnston was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
