Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Johnson was shot and killed while talking to a mentally ill person about the possibility of having him committed.
As Sheriff Johnson was speaking to him, he drew a handgun and opened fire, fatally wounding the sheriff. The shooter was then shot and killed by a deputy.
Sheriff Johnson had served as the sheriff of Sheridan County for 18 years, and had previously served with the Hoxie Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and six adult children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-04E96D0D- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Johnson gave the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hoxie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Leroy 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Leroy Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How James Leroy Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Leroy Johnson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Leroy Johnson was killed by handgun.