Incident
Special Deputy Johnson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two months earlier while attempting to arrest a man who had stolen a car. The suspect shot Special Deputy Johnson in the shoulder with a .22 caliber rifle. The suspect was shot and wounded by a citizen and taken into custody.
Special Deputy Johnson was initially taken to Porterville Hospital, but was later transferred to a San Francisco hospital for treatment to an injured nerve as a result of the gunshot wound. He underwent surgery to remove the bullet and to try to repair his arm, but died the day following the surgery.
Special Deputy Johnson had only been sworn in as a deputy two months prior to the shooting.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two step sons, a brother, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Special Deputy Johnson served with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Visalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tulare County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Carl is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carl 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 1951, 1 officer at Tulare County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1951, 3 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 53. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tulare County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 39; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 3.2 years.
Carl was 53. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Carl had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 53. 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. Carl had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Tulare County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 20%.
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 31.3% of all 16 deaths at Tulare County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .22 caliber, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .22 caliber, in 0.1% 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 rifle; .22 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .22 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Tulare County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, Carl among them.
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John Nicolas Wren Jul 5, 1889
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Oscar A. Beaver
Aug 6, 1892
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Carl Oscar Johnson
Sep 30, 1951
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Ross Clifford Cochran
Nov 19, 1951
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Vernon Cox
Apr 15, 1965
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Carlos Manuel Magana
Dec 9, 1970
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Monty Lewis Conley
Aug 5, 1985
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Joe Ruiz Landin
Aug 5, 1985
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Michael Robert Egan
May 2, 1989
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Kevin Eugene Elium
Oct 7, 2005
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Kent Minor Haws
Dec 17, 2007
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Greg Hernandez, Jr.
Feb 6, 2009
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Jeremy Wayne Meyst
Dec 24, 2013
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Scott Alfred Ballantyne
Feb 10, 2016
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Frank Gonzalez Holguin, III
Jan 27, 2021
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Randy Hoppert
Apr 9, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
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