James Clifford Johnson

James Clifford “JC” Johnson, 85, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 8, 1940, in Gallagher, West Virginia, the son of the late Troy and Lavada Johnson. JC was raised in Gallagher, where he developed the values of hard work, loyalty, and service that would guide him throughout his life. JC proudly served his country in the United States Army with the 3rd Armored Division, stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, where he served as a Tank Gunner and Driver. His unit was tasked with defending the Fulda Gap against a potential Warsaw Pact invasion. During his service, he also served in the Honor Guard and played baseball for the company team. Following his honorable discharge, he moved to Northern Virginia and began a distinguished career in law enforcement. He first served with the Alexandria City Police Department and later became a founding officer of the Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) when it was established in 1970. Over a combined 32 years of dedicated service, JC rose to the rank of Lieutenant before retiring in 1995. During his time with PWCPD, he began as a patrol officer, advanced to sergeant, and eventually led the Criminal Investigations Division, where he helped solve several highly notable cases. He concluded his career as a Lieutenant, sharing his experience and knowledge with those under his command. His commitment to public safety and leadership left a lasting impact on the communities he served. Many holidays, nights, and weekends were spent working and taking overtime assignments to provide for his family. He made sure that the time he did have with them was quality time. JC assisted with coaching sports for his children and especially enjoyed coaching softball and baseball. As he eased into retirement, JC remained connected to the police department by conducting background investigations for new applicants. His passion for thorough investigation naturally led him to his hobby of family genealogy. After tracing his own family lineage as far back as possible, he began researching genealogy for friends and coworkers as well. Growing up in the hills of West Virginia, JC developed a strong outdoorsman spirit and ethic at an early age. He loved to hunt and fish, whether on squad fishing trips along the Shenandoah River or casting a line into a quiet backyard pond. Each fall, as the leaves began to change, he felt the familiar pull of deer hunting and formed lasting friendships with a close-knit group of like-minded hunters at Quantico. Vacations with Roberta were often centered around visiting national parks and enjoying nature. He often joked that, “being a country boy from a holler in West Virginia,” he managed to visit all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. Never one to say, “no”, JC was always willing to lend a hand or help someone in need—even if it was simply by telling a joke. He loved storytelling and was quick with humor or a clever comeback to lighten the mood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy Ellis, Margaret Giles, Francis Melvin, and Ruby Marshall, and by his brothers, Dickie Johnson, Jack Johnson, and Bill Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Roberta Johnson; his children, Stephanie Johnson of Burlington, NC, Patricia Adams of Amissville, VA, and Michael Johnson (Joyce Van Horne) of Omaha, NE; and his cherished grandchildren, Jessica Garcia, Samantha Young, Robert Adams, Brittany Adams, Danielle Adams, Brooke Bender, Derek Van Horne, and Brent Van Horne. He was also blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren, who brought him immense joy. He is also survived by his sister, Judy (Richard) Kaercher of Elkhart, IN, and his brother, Larry Johnson of Pomeroy, OH. JC will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his unwavering sense of duty, and a life lived in service to others. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Prince William County Retired Police Officers’ Association (PWCRPOA) College Scholarship Fund. Checks should be made payable to: PWCRPOA Please include in the memo line: “Scholarship Fund in JC’s honor” Mail checks to: PWCRPOA 2708 Glenfinnan Rd. NE Leland, NC 28451 Funeral arrangements are as follows: All services will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Pierce Funeral Home, Manassas, Virginia. Visitation: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Funeral Service: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. A police-escorted procession will follow to Quantico National Cemetery. Burial Service: 2:00 p.m. Quantico National Cemetery

James Clifford Johnson

April 8, 1940 - January 22, 2026