Paul H. Johnson

Washington State Patrol — Olympia, WA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch December 12, 1949

Age 32

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 86 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 33

Incident

Patrolman Paul Johnson was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a report of a man randomly shooting at his neighbors at Ernie's Bend near Snoqualmie, Washington. Patrolman Johnson had taken a position behind his patrol car. When the officers called out to the suspect to surrender, the man opened a window and started shooting, striking Patrolman Johnson twice. Three other people were wounded during the shooting spree. Patrolman Johnson was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The 58-year-old suspect was declared insane and committed. He died at Medical City Mental Hospital on July 18, 1952. Patrolman Johnson was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Washington State Patrol for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WA-D8A98C55
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Johnson gave the Washington State Patrol 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Washington State Patrol

Location Olympia, WA

Platform Identity whp.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 12, 1949

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber

Offender Committed

Military Service

Paul H. Johnson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Paul 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Washington State Patrol, 8 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.

Washington State Patrol

of 34 officers

23.5% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious