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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dane Johns was accidentally shot and killed when his department-issued shotgun discharged as he removed it from his patrol car at the end of his shift.
The incident occurred when he attempted to secure the weapon for the night and the shotgun's trigger was depressed by his other equipment, causing the weapon to discharge. Deputy Johns was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Johns had served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Department for 22 years and had been recognized as the agency's Deputy of the Year in 2003.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young children.
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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Johns gave the Williamson County Sheriff's Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Johns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Williamson County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Dane is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Dane is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dane is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 2 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Dane was 45. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Dane had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dane was 45. 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. Dane had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dane was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Dane had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 17.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Williamson County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Williamson County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Dane among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Williamson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
