Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Clifford Johnson was shot and killed as he and several other deputies conducted a liquor raid on a home in Ballyhack, Virginia.
The home had been raided shortly after midnight and several gallons of whiskey and wine were confiscated and the homeowner was arrested. The raiding party returned to the home in the afternoon to continue the search and located a whiskey still in a wooded area nearby.
After the discovery, Deputy Johnson and his son, who was also a deputy, were summoned back to the location. As the raiding party inspected the still, Deputy Johnson went to the home, where he was confronted by the homeowner's wife. The woman, who was armed with a .32 caliber revolver, demanded to see a warrant and then began to struggle with the officer. As the two fought, the woman's brother fired at Deputy Johnson with a .45 caliber rifle, but the round struck the woman in the chest.
The woman then fired a round from her pistol, striking Deputy Johnson. Another person at the home also shot Deputy Johnson using a .38 caliber revolver. Deputy Johnson died at the scene. The woman succumbed to her wound three days later. The brother was arrested after being trailed to a nearby house by a bloodhound.
Deputy Johnson had served with the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office for 3 years, and also served as the county jailer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-E5DD5C3A- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Johnson gave the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salem community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Clifford Louis 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Roanoke County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifford Louis Johnson's cause is highlighted.
How Clifford Louis Johnson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifford Louis Johnson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifford Louis Johnson was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Roanoke County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
