Police Memorial

Patrolman John Johnson

End of Watch: August 14, 1981

Officer John Johnson, a six-year veteran of the Holliston, Massachusetts Police Department, succumbed to gunshot wounds in the early morning hours of August 14, 1981. Johnson was shot after a struggle with a stolen car suspect, Rolando Jiminez. Unknown to Officer Johnson, Jiminez was wanted on numerous outstanding warrants, including felony warrants.

Officer Johnson was on patrol during the evening of August 13, 1981, when he observed a stolen car traveling westbound through Holliston. Officer Johnson pulled behind the stolen car, notified the station, and was waiting for backup officers to arrive. Prior to the arrival of backup officers, the suspects in the stolen car pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store. Officer Johnson initiated a felony traffic stop, ordering the occupants to a search position against the car. Moments later one of the suspects, Jose Solivan, fled the scene on foot. Officer Johnson remained with the other suspect, Jiminez. When Jiminez attempted to flee, Officer Johnson pursued him. Officer Johnson was shot once by Jiminez during the struggle, then twice more while lying mortally wounded on the ground.

Holliston Officers arrested Jiminez after a three-hour manhunt by over one hundred police officers from surrounding communities and the State Police. The other suspect, Solivan, was arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts on Sept. 9, 1981.

Officer Johnson was survived by his wife, Geralyn Johnson, his ten year old daughter Jessica, and his three year old son Brian.

There is a memorial dedicated to Officer Johnson in front of the police station. During the month of May, the Holliston Police, as well as police departments around the country remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by celebrating Police Memorial Day. Officers from our department gather in full dress uniform while the flag is ceremonially lowered to half staff. A memorial service is then held at the grave site of Officer Johnson, attended by the entire department, the Board of Selectmen, family and friends.

Please feel free to stop by the station and pay your respects at Officer Johnson's memorial (located next to the flag pole), and to see a picture of Officer Johnson in our main lobby.

In April 2009, Rolando Jiminez again became eligible for parole and was granted a parole hearing. Family, friends and fellow Officers were present before the Parole Board in an effort to keep Jiminez behind bars. The Parole Board denied Jiminez parole and his sentence was extended another 5 years. It was difficult for all involved to recount those days but necessary, as John Johnson cannot have a second chance and neither should Jiminez. We thank the Parole Board for its decision.