Type of Officer: Sheriff
Jurisdiction: Sheridan County
County: Sheridan
Death Date: 10/26/2006
Added to Memorial: 2007
Circumstances of Death: Gunshot
On October 26, 2006, Sheridan County Sheriff James L. “Jimmy” Johnson called a local citizen into his office to discuss some activities and behavior the man had been displaying since the death of his father at the hands of a drunk driver. Sheriff Johnson convinced the man to commit himself to a mental health facility to get help, but when asked to take off his jacket, the man pulled out a handgun and shot Sheriff Johnson multiple times. A deputy in the office responded and shot and killed the assailant. Sheriff Johnson was taken to the Sheridan County Hospital and pronounced dead en route to Colby Municipal Airport, where he was to be flown to Wichita for treatment. James Johnson was first elected Sheriff of Sheridan County in 1988. He was 54 years old at the time of his death. Sheriff Johnson is survived by his wife, Linda, and six adult children
Panel: 9