Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Derek Johnson was shot and killed when he stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the side of South Fort Street shortly before 6:00 am.
A male subject in the vehicle immediately opened fire on Sergeant Johnson, shooting him before he was able to exit his patrol car. Despite being mortally wounded, Sergeant Johnson was able to radio a distress call. Responding units and medical personnel performed CPR until a helicopter arrived to transport him to Intermountain Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The male subject also shot a female acquaintance inside of their vehicle before shooting himself. Both were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The two were transients, with criminal records, who were living out of the vehicle.
The shooter was officially charged with criminal homicide, aggravated murder, and attempted homicide, as well as three additional counts of felony discharge of a firearm and one count of possession of a weapon by a restricted person. The female acquaintance was charged with two counts of obstructing justice.
In July 2014, the shooter was sentenced to life, in exchange for a death penalty, and the acquaintance, also exchanged a heavier sentence with a sentence of 3 years probation and a drug treatment program.
Sergeant Johnson had served with the Draper Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 7-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-B948DBB3- 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 Draper Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Draper 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 Derek Ray 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 UT, 84 of 138 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this state's fallen. That is 6.7 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. Derek Ray Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Derek Ray Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Attempted suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Derek Ray Johnson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Derek Ray Johnson was killed by gun; unknown type.