Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Johnson was shot and killed while attempting to execute a search warrant at home in Lynch.
He and another deputy had obtained the search warrant based on an investigation into illegal liquor sales. Deputy Johnson was shot in the chest and died two days later.
A 50-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were arrested and charged with murder. On April 10, 1938, both were tried and acquitted.
Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-E5845A40- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Johnson served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Lawrence 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 Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Johnson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
