Holliston Police: 'We Will Never Forget'

HOLLISTON, MA—It's been a little more than 35 years since Holliston Officer John Johnson, a six-year veteran of the department, was shot and killed during a struggle with stolen car suspect Rolando Jiminez.

Officer Johnson was on patrol during the evening of Aug. 13, 1981, when he saw a stolen car headed westbound through Holliston. Officer Johnson pulled behind the stolen car, notified the station, and was waiting for backup officers to arrive. Before backup arrived, the suspects pulled into a lot of a convenience store, with Johnson pulling the car over and ordering the occupants to a search position.

Moments later, one of the suspects, Jose Solivan, fled the scene on foot, said Holliston police in an announcement on FB. 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 more than one hundred police officers from surrounding communities and the State Police. The other suspect, Solivan, was arrested in Worcester 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.

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's 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," wrote Holliston police. "We thank the Parole Board for its decision."