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| Officer Thomas E. Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Department
Tennessee
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 16, 1968 Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, January 16, 1968
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: All five apprehended Officer Johnson and Officer Charles Thomasson were shot and killed after Officer Johnson stopped a vehicle at 15th Avenue and Herman Street that was wanted in connection with passing false money orders. As Officer Johnson exited his patrol car the occupants of the vehicle opened fire with a 30-30 rifle, striking him in the chest.
As Officer Thomasson arrived on the scene to backup Officer Johnson he was also shot. Officer Thomasson succumbed to his wounds two months later. The five suspects fled the scene but were all apprehended within several months. The ensuing investigation revealed that the five suspects were connected to the radical Black Panther group.
Officer Johnson had served with the agency for 10 years. He was survived by his four children.
The Black Panthers was a racist, radical group that professed the murders of law enforcement officers. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of at least 15 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation. Related Line of Duty Deaths | |
