Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Isaac Johnston succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he was shot from ambush while walking his beat.
He was approaching the Third Street Hollow, near Thompson Hollow, when he was shot in the abdomen without warning by someone who was with a large group of people standing on the side of the road. The entire group fled to a nearby home, where a posse located them a short time later.
As the posse attempted to make entry into the home someone inside opened fire, wounding two citizens in the posse. Seven men were eventually arrested and charged with Officer Johnston's murder. Of the three held most responsible, one died in jail, one was sent to the insane asylum, and the other was in the hospital. The other four were tried for murder and acquitted.
Officer Johnston was survived by his wife.
Officer Johnston was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Johnston was survived by his wife. Officer Johnston was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-4EC1E3B1- 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.
Police Officer Johnston served with the Donora Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Donora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Johnston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Isaac Johnston 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Donora Borough Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Isaac Johnston's cause is highlighted.
How Isaac Johnston Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Isaac Johnston is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Isaac Johnston was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Donora Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
