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David Lee Star Johnson

Case from Phoenix, AZ dated May 02, 1944

Victim Details

David Lee Star Johnson

Male

Black / African American

Phoenix

AZ

1944-05-02

36

David

Lee Star Johnson

07/12/2026

Case Description

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On a spring day in Phoenix, Arizona, the life of Officer David Lee 'Star' Johnson was cut short in a tragic confrontation. It was May 2, 1944, and Officer Johnson, an African-American man, was on his foot patrol in downtown Phoenix with his partner, Officer Joe Davis. The city, with a population of around 65,000 at the time, was a place where racial tensions simmered beneath the surface.

During their patrol, Officer Johnson witnessed a vehicle run a stop sign. As he approached the driver ...
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Links to Additional Sources (3)

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  • Police Officer David Lee
  • David Lee
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    Forum Posts (3)

    I recently came across the story of Officer David Lee "Star" Johnson, and it truly resonated with me... ...Read More
    01/10/2024
    I've been diving deep into the history of law enforcement in Phoenix, and this case involving Office... ...Read More
    08/21/2023
    Hey everyone, I'm still processing the complexities of the tragic events surrounding Officer David L... ...Read More
    07/07/2023
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