Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman E.W. Johnson was shot and fatally wounded by a wanted man he attempted to arrest at a cafe near the intersection of Dargan Street and Marion Street.
Patrolman Johnson, who was in plainclothes, attempted to arrest the man as he exited the back door of the cafe. The subject shot Patrolman Johnson before continuing to flee.
The 20-year-old suspect, found hiding under a bed in a nearby home, was shot three times by officers affecting his arrest. Officer Johnson, shot through his lung, developed double pneumonia and died in a local hospital four days later.
The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on March 30th, 1927. One month later Governor John Richards commuted his sentence to life. He died in prison on November 22nd, 1943.
Officer Johnson had served with the Florence Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-A248DDC8- 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.
Patrolman Johnson gave the Florence Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman E. W. 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Florence Police Department, 5 of 5 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. E. W. Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How E. W. Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. E. W. Johnson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. E. W. Johnson was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Florence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
