A Black Phoenix Police officer who was shot and killed while on duty by a White Phoenix Police officer in 1944 is being officially recognized for the first time by the department 80 years later.
During its 11th Phoenix Police Officer Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, the Phoenix Police Department added Officer David Lee “Star” Johnson’s name to the list of Phoenix officers who died in the line of duty. The recognition also added Johnson’s name to Employee Memorial Wall at Phoenix City Hall, and his name will be added this month to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington D.C.
On Thursday, the 80th anniversary of Johnson’s death, the department unveiled small street sign to mark where Johnson lost his life in 1944.
