James H. Johnson
Agency patch
Patrolman

James H. Johnson

Felonious
End of Watch July 21, 1921
Age 42
The Vigil Panel 41 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Johnson was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a home for a report of disorderly conduct at 2300 hours. Once at the home, Patrolman Johnson took a man and woman to the man's car to question them while his partner questioned more people inside the home. As Patrolman Johnson began to search the car the male suspect produced a handgun and shot him three times. His partner attempted to return fire but a female in the home grabbed his arm, preventing him from taking aim. The suspect was apprehended the following day and eventually convicted of murder.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-F3648151
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 served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.

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

Agency

Location Nashville, TN
Platform Identity npd.davidson.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 21, 1921
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Convicted of murder

Patrolman James H. 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Nashville City Police Department, 16 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.

Nashville City Police Department
16
of 22 officers
72.7% Felonious
TN — Statewide
498
of 769 officers
64.8% 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. James H. Johnson'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 James H. Johnson Compares

Age at End of Watch
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Convicted of murder

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Johnson is highlighted in Jul.

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. James H. Johnson was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518