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Officer John "Johnnie" Turner Johns was struck by a drunk driver on December 20, 1931 while directing traffic on South Royal near the depot at the scene of where a car had run off the road and into a pond.  The traffic was down to one lane and while the north bound traffic was waiting their turn to proceed a green roadster approached the stopped traffic at a high rate of speed and swerved around it and passed the line of traffic.  A young businessman from a prominent family was at the wheel and had been drink at a bridge party with his wife who was also in the car.  As the roadster went around the traffic, the young man struck Officer Johns and ran over him with such force that it threw Officer Johns approximately sixty three feet.  The impact broke both of Officer Johns' legs, crushed his pelvic and caused internal and external injuries.  

The driver fled the scene and was quickly caught and arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Failure to Render Aide.  When the young man was arrested he smelled of an intoxicant.

Officer Johns succumb to the injuries received from the accident and died on December 22, 1931.  The death of Officer Johns prompted an additional charge of Involuntary Manslaughter being levied against the young driver.

Officer Johns was a military veteran.  He served in the U. S. Army during WWI prior to joining the Jackson Police Department.