Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Sunday, May 9, 1943
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 9, 1943
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1945
Officer Charles Johnston was shot and killed while responding to a shooting call at 617 21st Street, NE.
The roommate of an off-duty officer had stolen the officer's weapon and shot his wife several times. Officer Johnston was the first uniformed officer on the scene. He entered the house and as he looked around a corner the suspect shot him in the head.
The subject was apprehended at the scene. He sentenced to death and subsequently executed on December 14th, 1945.
Officer Johnston was assigned to the Traffic Division. He was survived by his wife and two children.