Patrolman E. W. Johnson

E. W. Johnson

Patrolman E.W. Johnson was shot and fatally wounded by a wanted man he attempted to arrest at a cafe near the intersection of Dargan Street and Marion Street.

Patrolman Johnson, who was in plainclothes, attempted to arrest the man as he exited the back door of the cafe. The subject shot Patrolman Johnson before continuing to flee.

The 20-year-old suspect, found hiding under a bed in a nearby home, was shot three times by officers affecting his arrest. Officer Johnson, shot through his lung, developed double pneumonia and died in a local hospital four days later.

The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on March 30th, 1927. One month later Governor John Richards commuted his sentence to life. He died in prison on November 22nd, 1943.

Officer Johnson had served with the Florence Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and four children.