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Incident
City Marshal David Johnson and Sheriff W.W. Wright, of the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed as they rode with a posse attempting to recapture three inmates who had escaped from the Nevada County Jail. A second posse had secreted themselves in a remote area at Gold Ravine, near Gold Flat, believing the escapees would go to that area. Sheriff Wright and Marshal Johnson were in a second posse who also went to that area and became suspicious when they saw horses tied to a tree. As members of the second posse approached the horses they were confronted by members of the first posse. The two posses exchanged fire in a case of mistaken identity and both Sheriff Wright and Marshal Johnson received fatal wounds.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
170 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Johnson gave the Nevada City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nevada City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1856, 2 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1856, 4 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 145th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1856, 11 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 150th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 26. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. David had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
David was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. David had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.8% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 14.6%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Nevada City Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Nevada City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nevada City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
