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Incident
Detective Vance Johnson was shot and killed by a subject attempting to escape from the Sedgwick County Court House in Wichita, Kansas. The suspect, 30, charged with aggravated battery, threw hot coffee in his face, grabbed his gun, and shot him. Before he was captured three hours later, he shot and critically wounded a policeman and shot two deputies, critically wounding one and seriously wounding the other. The subject was not handcuffed when he was escorted from the jail to the courthouse. The Sedgwick County Sheriff, as well as several other law enforcement agencies throughout our nation, made it mandatory, "All prisoners had to be handcuffed." The suspect was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, and 27 felonies resulting from kidnappings, assaults, stealing cars, and several other charges during his three-hour rampage. On March 21, 1975, the suspect was convicted of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and sentenced to life plus 15 years. Other convictions resulted in a 1 to 5-year term, a 3 to 10-year term, and a 5 to 20-year term. In August of 2005, he had a parole hearing. Result unknown. Detective Johnson had served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Johnson gave the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy 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 1974, 1 officer at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1974, 1 officer in KS was killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 43. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.8 and 42.5; the middle age was 33. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 2.7 years.
Roy was 43. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Roy was 43. 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. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 30%. Thursdays: 10%.
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 8.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has 10 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
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Carlos B. King
Sep 23, 1871
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Frank Hill
Aug 16, 1927
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Roy Vance Johnson
Oct 31, 1974
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Terry Wayne McNett
Feb 2, 1988
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Christopher C. Willems
May 12, 1991
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Kevin S. Easter
Jan 8, 1996
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Kenneth Eugene Snider
Apr 18, 1997
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Brian Scott Etheridge
Sep 28, 2009
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Robert Kenneth Kunze, III
Sep 16, 2018
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Sidnee Carter
Oct 7, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
