Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Craig Johnson succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous morning when he was shot multiple times during a traffic stop near the intersection of East 21st Street and South 89th East Avenue.
An officer on Sergeant Johnson's squad had conducted the traffic stop at 3:30 am and determined the vehicle had to be impounded. The driver refused to exit the car despite using de-escalation techniques and non-lethal force, including pepper spray and a taser. As Sergeant Johnson and the other officer continued their attempts to remove the driver, the man reached under the driver's seat and retrieved a handgun. He opened fire on both officers, striking each multiple times in the head and torso.
The man fled the scene with the help of a friend he had called for assistance during the traffic stop.
The subject was arrested later in the day and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. On April 22, 2021, he was convicted of first-degree murder, shooting with intent to kill, possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, possession of drugs with intent to distribute, and obstructing an officer. On April 9, 2022, he was sentenced to death. The friend who aided his escape was found guilty of two counts of accessory to a felony and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was released on parole after serving only 4 and a half years.
The other officer who was shot was in critical condition for a few months. He returned to work in November 2020.
Sergeant Johnson had served with the Tulsa Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-DB7D884C- 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.
Sergeant Johnson gave the Tulsa Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Craig Vincent 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Tulsa Police Department, 30 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Craig Vincent Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Craig Vincent Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Craig Vincent Johnson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Craig Vincent Johnson was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Tulsa Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
