Officer Gerald D. Johnson #67
EOW: 23 April 1987

Palm Bay Police Department
Officer Gerald D. Johnson #67
End of Watch 23 April 1987

Officer Gerald Johnson and Officer Ronald Grogan were shot and killed while responding to the scene of a mass shooting during which a man had gone on a shooting spree with a Ruger Mini 14 rifle, killing four civilians and wounding another 14.

The suspect took hostages at a convenience store and as the officers arrived he opened fire on them, killing Officer Grogan before he was able to exit his patrol car. Officer Johnson was able to exit his vehicle and return fire before being struck in the foot and knocked down. As he was reloading the suspect approached him and shot him at point-blank range.

The suspect surrendered later in the night. He was convicted of the murders and was subsequently sentenced to death.

Officer Johnson had served with the agency for 1 year.

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