Oakland Police Department, California
End of Watch: Thursday, June 27, 1946
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 27, 1946
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 41 years
Inspector John Johnston was shot and killed while investigating possible burglary activity in the 400 block of Merritt Avenue shortly before 9:00 pm.
Several officers were patrolling the area due to recent burglaries. He observed two suspicious men and called them over to his unmarked car. While talking to the two, one shot Inspector Johnson several times while Inspector Johnson was still seated behind the wheel of his car. No one knew of the shooting until an off-duty police officer stopped to investigate Inspector Johnston's vehicle, which was still parked in the middle of the street. The killer and his accomplice were apprehended and charged with murder and eight counts of burglary.
On October 17th, 1946, both were convicted of eight counts of burglary and sentenced to 36 years in prison. The man who shot Inspector Johnston was found to be insane and committed to a state mental hospital. On April 26th, 1948, he was found to be sane and returned to Oakland to stand trial for murder. On May 7th, 1948, he was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 41 years in prison. He was denied parole in 1960.
Inspector Johnston had served with the Oakland Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.