Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Saturday, April 26, 1997
Add to My HeroesRobert L. Johnson, Jr.
Officer Robert Johnson was shot and killed and another officer was shot and wounded at approximately 10:30 pm as the result of a parking problem.
They had just gotten off duty and became involved in the altercation near the intersection of Benning Road and 43rd Road, NE. The suspect told them he would be back to settle it after both officers identified themselves. When he returned he opened fire on them unexpectedly.
He was the third Metropolitan police officer killed in two months and the second killed within one block of a police station. Both suspects in his murder were convicted of first degree murder on May 22nd, 1998.
Officer Johnson had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 7 years
- Badge 809
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Both convicted of 1st Degree murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 25 ReflectionsI remember this day so well, sadly. I had just spoke to him no more then a minute before this happened. I pulled away from where he was along with the later to be Captain, who was also wounded in this tragedy. I was 2 blocks away at the corner of Benning Rd & Minnesota Ave, when I heard gunshots and the yelling on the radio...the description of the vehicle. A vehicle sped by me as I was at the light driving on the wrong side of the road and turned south onto Minn Ave. NE. During this pursuit it was so difficult, naturally, to get on the air due to the calls for medical assistance... it didn't sound good at the scene as I pursued this vehicle. Luckily as I passed the McDonalds an off-duty saw me and joined in his POV to assist. When the pursuit ended with the vehicle pulling over and complying about a mile later, it ended up being eyewitnesses (who did not want to cooperate) to the shooting and not the suspect. By this time the radio traffic wasn't sounding good for Roberts condition.
Then the manhunt was on for seemed like days and days... we all worked on days off and so many extra hours from all the 7 districts to find the suspect. Showing me to this day how much MPD was a family...even from outside 6D and even outside MPD itself.
Robert's family,6D, MPD, the community lost a great man this day and I still tear up remembering all this. As so many mentioned... Robert's laugh was unforgettable... and his love of the Cowboys.
To me I remember his smile the most...it was genuine.
God bless you Robert, and keep smiling down on us all.
MPO Olszewski
Retired MPD 6th District
May 11, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Correctional Officer I Robert Clark
Georgia Department of Corrections, GA
EOW: October 1, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Jacob Eric Salrin
Richland County Sheriff's Department, SC
EOW: September 29, 2023

Community Parole Officer Christine Guerin-Sandoval
Colorado Department of Corrections, CO
EOW: September 28, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Marylin Anjanette Mayo
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: September 21, 2023

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023