P.O. Box 901, Prosser WA 99350 /wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com / 360.597.4411

Paul H. Johnson was born on September 3, 1917, in Seattle to Gustave H. Johnson and Gunhild Jansson. One of seven children, Johnson attended school in Arlington and Seattle, graduating from Ballard High School in 1936. He was an accomplished trumpet player who often played at church and in a trio with two of his brothers on the radio.

 

Johnson worked as a shipping clerk at a Seattle based retailer in 1940, before serving four years and three months in the United States Army during World War II. He was mainly stationed at Kodiak, Alaska, as a member of the military police.

 

His career with the Washington Highway Patrol began as a clerk in Wenatchee on August 5, 1946. He was later a member of the 14th cadet class and commissioned as a patrolman on October 1, 1946. Patrolman Johnson was assigned to Olympia. He married Cecilia Dyer in April 1947. Patrolman Johnson transferred to North Bend, Renton, Seattle, and back to North Bend in 1949.

 

Patrolman Paul Johnson died on December 12, 1949, at the age of 32. Patrolman Johnson died of a gunshot wound after responding to a neighborhood disturbance near Snoqualmie. At the time of his death, Patrolman Johnson had served three years with the Washington Highway Patrol.

 

Patrolman Johnson was survived by his parents and siblings, Stanly, Harold, Wilmer, Alvin, Florence and Ruby. Wilmer passed away in 1999. Florence passed away in 2012. Alvin passed away in 2013. Ruby passed away in February 2017. Harold passed away in December 2019.

 

In May of 1998, Patrolman Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on December 12, 1949, by the Law Enforcement – Medal of Honor Committee.

 

On Friday, May 20, 2016, a dedication ceremony of a memorial to honor and remember King County Troopers was held at the Bellevue District Office. When you visit the Bellevue District Office, take a moment to stop by the beautiful memorial that was created in remembrance of King County Troopers.

 

A ceremony was held on December 13, 2019, at the Bellevue District Office to honor the 70th anniversary of Patrolman Johnson’s line of duty death.  

 

On December 13, 2024, a wreath was placed at the Bellevue District office to honor the 75th anniversary of Patrolman Johnson’s line of duty death.  

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Please take a moment to remember Patrolman Johnson and his family.

 

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