Philip R. Johnson
1873-1943
Lt. Johnson was originally from Montross, Virginia. He attended three years at the University of Oregon, School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 1915. He also studied to become a Chiropractor. Johnson lived in Sellwood and before joining the Bureau he had been employed as a streetcar car man and for five years had been a driver for a laundry company.
Appointed to the Bureau in October, 1909 at the age of 36, he began as a foot patrolman, telephone operator/dispatcher, records clerk, transferred to Traffic, made Sergeant in 1927, and Lieutenant in 1930 with posts in Central and First Precinct.
The Incident
In the afternoon of May 9, 1941, Lt. Johnson was working at his desk in first precinct (now known as East) office at SE 7th and Alder. Lt. Johnson had recently put an officer on leave for attendance and performance issues that went back over a few years, even to when the two patrolled together, and the officer had similar problems with several former supervisors.
About 3:30 p.m. the officer entered the station carrying a gun in each hand, walked into Johnson’s office and shot him from behind. Johnson ran into another room, pursued by the officer. They traded several shots. The officer then left the building, jumped into his personal car and sped away. Lt. Johnson, with several bullet wounds, was transported to the hospital where he died around 4:00 p.m.
The officer was found the next day in rural Clackamas County. He had fatally shot himself while sitting in his car just 300 feet from his birthplace near Barton, Oregon.
Lt. Johnson was 67 and survived by his wife of 41 years.
Appointed to the Bureau in October, 1909 at the age of 36, he began as a foot patrolman, telephone operator/dispatcher, records clerk, transferred to Traffic, made Sergeant in 1927, and Lieutenant in 1930 with posts in Central and First Precinct.
The Incident
In the afternoon of May 9, 1941, Lt. Johnson was working at his desk in first precinct (now known as East) office at SE 7th and Alder. Lt. Johnson had recently put an officer on leave for attendance and performance issues that went back over a few years, even to when the two patrolled together, and the officer had similar problems with several former supervisors.
About 3:30 p.m. the officer entered the station carrying a gun in each hand, walked into Johnson’s office and shot him from behind. Johnson ran into another room, pursued by the officer. They traded several shots. The officer then left the building, jumped into his personal car and sped away. Lt. Johnson, with several bullet wounds, was transported to the hospital where he died around 4:00 p.m.
The officer was found the next day in rural Clackamas County. He had fatally shot himself while sitting in his car just 300 feet from his birthplace near Barton, Oregon.
Lt. Johnson was 67 and survived by his wife of 41 years.