Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Police Officer

Boss Johnson

Welch Police Department — Welch, WV

Felonious

End of Watch April 20, 1949

Age 50

The Vigil Panel 85 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Officer Johnson was shot and killed by a jail escapee who he and another officer cornered in the basement of a home. Both officers returned fire killing the suspect. The officers had pursued the suspect as he escaped from the McDowell County Jail. Just seconds before he fled he shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Travis Milton French of the McDowell County Sheriff's Department.

Survivors

Officer Johnson was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-5FEE4A34
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Boss. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Johnson served with the Welch Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Johnson.

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

Agency

Department Welch Police Department

Location Welch, WV

Platform Identity wpd.mcdowell.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 20, 1949

Age 50

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Police Officer Boss 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Welch Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Welch Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% 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. Boss 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 Boss Johnson Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Boss Johnson is highlighted in Apr.

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. Boss Johnson was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Welch Police Department are honored on badge.nw.