Tulare County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch: Sunday, September 30, 1951
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 21, 1951
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Apprehended
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. He was survived by his wife, two step sons, a brother, and a sister.