Rome Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, October 23, 1921
Age: 57
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 23, 1921
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Policeman Joseph Johnson was shot and killed after responding to the sound of shots being fired behind the Drummond-Morris hardware store on North 5th Avenue around 9 p.m.
Upon his arrival, Officer Johnson was informed that the man who fired the shots (a suspected moonshiner) ran under a nearby warehouse. Officer Johnson went under the warehouse to locate the suspect and engaged the shooter in a gunfight. During the gunfight, Officer Johnson was shot multiple times. The suspect was also fatally shot.
Policeman Johnson succumbed to his injuries on October 23, 1921.