Palm Bay Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, April 23, 1987
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: 67
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 23, 1987
Weapon Used: Rifle; Mini 14
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Officer Gerald Johnson and Officer Ronald Grogan were shot and killed while responding to the scene of a mass shooting during which a man had gone on a shooting spree with a Ruger Mini 14 rifle, killing six civilians and wounding another 18.
The suspect took hostages at a supermarket and as the officers arrived he opened fire on them, killing Officer Grogan before he was able to exit his patrol car. Officer Johnson was able to exit his vehicle and return fire before being struck in the foot and knocked down. As he was reloading the suspect approached him and shot him at point-blank range.
The suspect was captured later in the night. He was convicted of the murders and was subsequently sentenced to death. While awaiting his execution he died of natural causes at age 82 on November 29th, 2009.
Officer Johnson had served with the Palm Bay Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife, 9-year-old son, parents, brother, and sister.