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Incident
Patrolman Johnson was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a home for a report of disorderly conduct at 2300 hours. Once at the home, Patrolman Johnson took a man and woman to the man's car to question them while his partner questioned more people inside the home. As Patrolman Johnson began to search the car the male suspect produced a handgun and shot him three times. His partner attempted to return fire but a female in the home grabbed his arm, preventing him from taking aim. The suspect was apprehended the following day and eventually convicted of murder.
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.
Patrolman Johnson served with the Nashville City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashville City Police Department has lost 22 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 1 officer at Nashville City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1921, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
James was 42. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Nashville City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 55; the middle age was 50.
James was 42. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
James was 42. 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 was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 18.8% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 25%.
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Robert T. Frazier Apr 30, 1875
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John M. Arnold Feb 12, 1885
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Daniel Summitt Apr 30, 1899
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Benjamin F. Dowell
Dec 7, 1903
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W. I. Wright
Mar 4, 1914
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John Ryan
Mar 5, 1914
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Andrew Harrison Roberts, Sr. Jul 15, 1914
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Lem G. Thompson
Dec 12, 1915
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John Milliron
Jul 12, 1916
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John Friel
Sep 24, 1918
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James H. Johnson
Jul 21, 1921
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John True
Aug 4, 1924
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Archie B. Wood
Nov 12, 1924
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Chas H. Fudge
Nov 26, 1925
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Michael J. Mulvihill
May 9, 1931
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George W. Redmond
Sep 25, 1933
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Charles B. Sanders
Mar 17, 1934
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Paul W. Cavender
May 7, 1935
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Albert Alex Foster
Mar 20, 1936
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William Ray Holbrook
Apr 15, 1939
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Charles Dow Mundy
Jun 25, 1942
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Robert Burns Sandefur
Jul 3, 1943
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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