Incident
Officer Johnson succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was assaulted at a disturbance call. He encountered a drunk suspect who was extremely strong. The man picked Officer Johnson up and threw him to the ground, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Officer Johnson had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Johnson had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife.
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
156 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Johnson gave the Jacksonville Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jacksonville Police Department has lost 33 officers; 25 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1870, 1 officer at Jacksonville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1870, 2 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 93rd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1870, 31 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 155th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1870, 31 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 35. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Jacksonville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 39.8; the middle age was 34.5. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
William was 35. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 35. 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. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 16% of these deaths at Jacksonville Police Department; May holds the most, 24%. Tuesdays: 8%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75.8% of all 33 deaths at Jacksonville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.9% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Jacksonville Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John Yeomans May 24, 1840
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Ignatio Andrea Apr 14, 1869
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William Johnson Apr 12, 1870
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Joseph Nelson Jun 26, 1880
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Carlton T. Lowe Feb 26, 1890
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Edward Minor Apr 5, 1895
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William E. Gruber Apr 28, 1897
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Henry H. Raley
Nov 29, 1900
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Hezekiah E. Hires
May 13, 1910
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Luther B. Henderson
Jan 26, 1911
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Napolean B. Hagan
Sep 22, 1913
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Benjamin Franklin Hagan
Aug 10, 1917
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James Shirley Booth Oct 16, 1918
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Charles F. Turknett
Sep 26, 1919
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Henry A. Everett
Jan 20, 1920
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William J. Kelly
Sep 3, 1924
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Jesse J. Barber
May 20, 1929
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L. M. Dyer May 23, 1929
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Willie D. Smith
Jan 19, 1930
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J. Thomas Watts May 5, 1933
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John P. Ellis
Sep 11, 1937
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Clarence E. Ballou
Sep 29, 1937
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Ellis V. Dyal
Jun 22, 1946
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Richard M. Scarborough
Jun 22, 1946
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Fred W. Higginbotham
Aug 18, 1947
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Robert Quincy Tucker
Dec 24, 1952
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Thomas A. Robinson, Jr. Dec 16, 1953
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Napolean B. Harvey Oct 2, 1956
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Charles Sea
May 24, 1959
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Ernest Charles Register Apr 20, 1960
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William E. McCooley
Sep 5, 1962
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William L. Griffin Jul 29, 1967
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Jake B. Edwards Feb 1, 1968
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
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