Circumstances of Death

Prohibition Agent Herbert Johnson was involved in the investigation of a major Philadelphia bootlegger.  In late 1932, while installing a wire tap on the bootlegger's business telephone, he became distracted and concerned when he heard nearby noises and fell from the telephone pole, seriously injuring his spine.  Assistant Special Agent in Charge Warren Heddens, who was with Agent Johnson, immediately rushed him to the local hospital.  Approximately 18 months later, Agent Johnson died from his injuries.

Background

Agent Johnson joined the Bureau of Prohibition on August 7, 1929.  He had an excellent reputation and worked on many of the famous criminal prohibition cases of the era, including a three-month undercover assignment on the "Mendelsohn case."  He was considered an innovative and outstanding agent.  Prior to become a Prohibition Agent, he played professional baseball on Maryland's Eastern Shore and reportedly played with legendary Jimmie Foxx of the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox.  Agent Johnson was a graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, where he was a three star athlete (baseball, football and boxing).

Personal

Agent Johnson was survived by his wife, Alma (née Murphy).