Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Bill Johnson was struck by a drunk driver and killed while investigating two suspicious people walking along Ohio 73 at 12:30 am. Officer Johnson was traveling eastbound on Ohio 73 when he stopped in the right-hand lane to talk to two people standing on the road. When he exited his patrol cruiser, a truck traveling eastbound hit the rear of his vehicle and then struck Officer Johnson. He was transported to Sycamore Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The drunk driver was placed on work release while in the county jail and released after three months. Officer Johnson was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Springboro Police Department for nine years and previously served with the Clearcreek Township. He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters. In 2023, his grandson was sworn in as a Springboro Police Officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-6210E583- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Johnson gave the Springboro Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springboro community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William L. Johnson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer William L. 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 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. William L. Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to work release
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Johnson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Johnson was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.