Johnnie Laroy Longest III

How they died

Deadly force

K-9 Officer Dan Lesser and Sgt. Brent Austin attempted to pull Longest over for reckless driving. After Longest's Honda high-centered on a concrete divider, he fled and there was a foot chase into an alley several blocks away. The police then released the K-9, Var. Longest shot the dog twice with a .22 handgun then turned to flee again. Officer Lesser shot Longest once in the spine. Longest died in a hospital the next day. The County Prosecutor justified the shooting , and Var was given the Purple Heart.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Johnnie Laroy Longest III, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources