William G. Johnson

Ashland Police Department — Ashland, KY

Felonious

End of Watch July 19, 1923

Age 64

The Vigil Panel 45 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Patrolman William Johnson succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 13 years earlier while attempting to arrest a man on a drunken rampage.

After the man grabbed a shotgun and threatened to clean up the town, the man's brother alerted Patrolman Johnson to the threats. Patrolman Johnson located the man but was immediately shot twice. The first blast struck him in the legs. The man then shot him in the abdomen at close range, causing a severe wound.

Patrolman Johnson never fully recovered from the wounds and died as a result of complications on July 19, 1923.

Patrolman Johnson was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Patrolman Johnson was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-E07DAF6C
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 William. 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.
Patrolman Johnson served with the Ashland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.

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

Agency

Department Ashland Police Department

Location Ashland, KY

Platform Identity apd.boyd.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 19, 1923

Age 64

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Arrested

Patrolman William G. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Ashland Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Ashland Police Department

of 6 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious