Prev
Incident
Officer Howard Johnson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a bank robbery suspect. The subject robbed the First Federal Savings and Loan of Minneapolis at the Rosedale Shopping Center and fled on foot at 12:30 pm. A silent alarm was activated, and Roseville officers responded. The subject fled across Snelling Avenue into a residential area. Officer Johnson located the subject at 1548 Sextant Avenue, where the suspect shot him. He was transported to St Paul Ramsey Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while in the operating room at 2 pm. The subject, 21, was arrested about 30 minutes later. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. On February 15, 1979, he and another lifer escaped from the federal prison in Marion, Illinois. They were captured three days later in Johnson County, Illinois. He got five years added to his sentence. Officer Johnson had served with the Roseville Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, and one grandchild.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn10dk7ap3680x7sx6s7- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Howard. 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.
Officer Johnson gave the Roseville Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roseville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roseville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Howard is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Howard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Howard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 4 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Howard was 48. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Howard had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Howard was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Howard had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Howard had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.8% of these deaths in MN, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Roseville Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Roseville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Howard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Roseville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
