Roanoke County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
End of Watch: Sunday, September 25, 1927
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 25, 1927
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Clifford Johnson was shot and killed as he and several other deputies conducted a liquor raid on a home in Ballyhack, Virginia.
The home had been raided shortly after midnight and several gallons of whiskey and wine were confiscated and the homeowner was arrested. The raiding party returned to the home in the afternoon to continue the search and located a whiskey still in a wooded area nearby.
After the discovery, Deputy Johnson and his son, who was also a deputy, were summoned back to the location. As the raiding party inspected the still, Deputy Johnson went to the home, where he was confronted by the homeowner's wife. The woman, who was armed with a .32 caliber revolver, demanded to see a warrant and then began to struggle with the officer. As the two fought, the woman's brother fired at Deputy Johnson with a .45 caliber rifle, but the round struck the woman in the chest.
The woman then fired a round from her pistol, striking Deputy Johnson. Another person at the home also shot Deputy Johnson using a .38 caliber revolver. Deputy Johnson died at the scene. The woman succumbed to her wound three days later. The brother was arrested after being trailed to a nearby house by a bloodhound.
Deputy Johnson had served with the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office for 3 years, and also served as the county jailer. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents.