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Incident
Reserve Sergeant James Johnson was shot and killed after being confronted by an armed suspect in front of his home on Vance Road at 6:30 pm.
The suspect had a long-standing disagreement with his neighbors over property boundaries. The man had moved from the property earlier in the month but returned with a rifle and murdered the couple he was in a dispute with.
The killer then confronted Reserve Sergeant Johnson and his 10-year-old grandson. Reserve Sergeant Johnson was able to distract the killer, which allowed his grandson to escape into the house and notify his grandmother, who called the police. When deputies were dispatched to the scene, Reserve Sergeant Johnson's son-in-law, who was a full-time deputy and off-duty, learned of the call and immediately responded to the scene.
In the meantime, Reserve Sergeant Johnson attempted to diffuse the situation but, at some point, was shot. When his son-in-law arrived at the scene, he encountered the assailant and became engaged in a shootout, and was wounded.
The 59-year-old killer was also shot and wounded by return fire. He was taken into custody and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted capital murder. The action of the two deputies were credited with preventing the killer from murdering the couple's 5-year-old son, who was in the home at the time of the shooting.
The suspect was convicted of three counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on September 8th, 2018.
Reserve Sergeant Johnson had served with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department for 7 years and had previously served with the Kernersville Police Department in both full-time and part-time capacities for 28 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, two brothers, two sisters, and five grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
35 years. You could have gone home.
Reserve Sergeant Johnson gave the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Winston-Salem community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Sergeant Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 2004, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 59. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. James had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 59. 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. James had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Forsyth County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
