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Incident
Chief Johnson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier when he was shot in the chest by a group of men he had just given directions to. The chief had observed the men acting suspiciously a few nights earlier and when he observed them again in a car at 0215 hours he approached them. The men asked for directions to a hotel and Chief Johnson told them where a hotel was. As the chief turned around one of the suspects struck him over the head with a gun and then another one of the men shot him in the chest. The shot paralyzed Chief Johnson from the waist down. He was transported to a local hospital where he died two days later. One suspect was later identified by officers. On September 22, 1930, two of the suspects robbed a bank in Genoa, Nebraska. They were apprehended six days later in Reno, Nevada, after they committed a small robbery there. The next day it was discovered they were wanted for the murder of Chief Johnson. It was also discovered one of the suspects was wanted in Iowa for violating his parole after he was paroled from Fort Madison Penitentiary in April of 1930. He had served time for a burglary conviction. Both suspects were convicted of robbing the Genoa bank and sentenced to 40 years. On November 2, 1944, both suspects escaped from the Nebraska penitentiary. They were apprehended in Oakland, Iowa, two weeks later. On January 13, 1945, they escaped from the jail in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The pair went of a extensive crime spree in several states committing thefts, robberies, and stealing three cars until they were apprehended by FBI agents in New, Hampshire on March 4, 1945. A month later they were sentenced in Boston, Massachusetts, Federal Court to 19 years in federal prison for several crimes. They were transferred to the federal prison in Atlanta and later were sent to Alcatraz. They were still charged with several crimes in several states too numerous to mention. In 1961 one of the suspects was returned to Nebraska to finish his sente
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Johnson served with the Ray Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ray community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ray Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Martin is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
Martin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Martin 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 1930, 2 officers in ND were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Martin was 52. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50.
Martin was 52. 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.
Martin was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 7.7% of these deaths in ND; July holds the most, 17.9%. Saturdays: 20.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Ray Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 61 deaths in ND, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Ray Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Martin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ray Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
