Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Deputy Sheriff

Clarence W. Johnson, Sr.

Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office — Annapolis, MD

Felonious

End of Watch January 10, 1967

Age 43

The Vigil Panel 102 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Clarence Johnson succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Ritchie Highway, near Earleigh Heights Road, while transporting a prisoner to the Anne Arundel County Jail in Annapolis. He had arrested the man earlier in the evening on a bench warrant for contempt of court. During the arrest the subject resisted and Deputy Johnson had to call for backup from the Maryland State Police. He and the trooper were eventually able to get the subject into the back of his vehicle. It is believed that during the drive the subject began to struggle with Deputy Johnson inside of the car, causing it to leave the roadway and strike a tree at full speed. Deputy Johnson and his prisoner were both killed.

Survivors

Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MD-EBEF36DB
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 Clarence. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Johnson served with the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Annapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Johnson.

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

Agency

Department Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office

Location Annapolis, MD

Platform Identity aacso.annearundel.md.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 10, 1967

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Offender Killed in crash

Deputy Sheriff Clarence W. Johnson, Sr. 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

MD — Statewide

195

of 377 officers

51.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clarence W. Johnson, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Clarence W. Johnson, Sr. Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Killed in crash

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence W. Johnson, Sr. is highlighted in Jan.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence W. Johnson, Sr. was killed by person.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518