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Incident
Sergeant Michael Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle after he put spike strips down on the highway to stop the vehicle being pursued by other officers.
Troopers from the Vermont State Police were chasing a suspect who fled from a traffic stop on I-91 in Thetford. Sergeant Johnson was located about five miles south of the initial traffic stop. After laying down the spike strips in the roadway, Sergeant Johnson parked his patrol car in the nearby crossover between the north and southbound lanes of I-91, near Exit 13.
As the suspect approached the spike strips, the suspect swerved into the median and through the crossover, striking Sergeant Johnson. The suspect's black colored Nissan stopped in the northbound lane of I-91 and he fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended in Pennsylvania two days later. Sergeant Johnson was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire where he later died from his injuries.
The suspect was charged with second degree murder in connection with Sergeant Johnson's death but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. On September 15, 2004, he was sentenced to 26 to 33 years in prison.
Sergeant Johnson had served with the Vermont State Police for 16 years and was assigned to Troop B in Bradford.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Sergeant Johnson gave the Vermont State Police 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Vermont. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Vermont State Police has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 12 officers lost to accidents in VT, 38.7% of the 31 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 2 officers in VT were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 39. Of the 12 lost to accidents in VT whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 54.5; the middle age was 46. Michael had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 14.5 years.
Michael was 39. 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. Michael had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths in VT; May holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 25%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Vermont State Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 38.7% of all 31 deaths in VT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Vermont State Police has 5 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Vermont State Police are honored on badge.nw.
