Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Don...Its very hard to believe its been over 8 years since I have seen your smiling face. I hope your wife kids are doing well. I am sure they miss you terribly. I think of you often, mainly when I am driving on Hwy 388 or when I have to send units on a dangerous call. I pray you are helping God watch over them. Sure do miss you Don.

Asst Communications Manager Leigh Brandt
Panama City Police Department

July 31, 2007

Florida lost a great Deputy 8yrs ago today. You are still missed but not forgotten.
wife of a michigan deputy

July 11, 2007

Eight years have passed since your EOW and I know that your loved ones think of you every day. You will never be forgotten by those that love your dearly. Continue to keep watch over them, let them feel your presence so they know you are near and watching over them. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 11, 2007

well its been almost 8 years since his death. still remember the feeling like it was yesterday. getting that call that changed my world. never thought Don Johnson wouldn't be here anymore. He was too young to die the way he did. Take care cousin!

terry vaughan
cousin

January 9, 2007

Don, today is your birthday. You would have been 44 years old. I miss you so much. I hope and pray that you are protecting the streets of heaven and keeping your wife and children safe from harm here on earth. Mom has read your son's reflection that he left 2 years ago, and she is crying. She misses you so much. Your death was so senseless. People need to take more time and be careful when they are driving. Many people loved you so much. The night before you died, I sent you an email that took the picture of you on your motorcycle and I turned it upside down. I was playing with the picture and when I sent it back to you, I stated in my email "I am turning your life upside down" (or something to that effect). Little did I know that you would be taken from us and all of our lives were turned upside down. I tried to email you back after writing that and tell you that I was only kidding, but you had already signed off from online. You didn't like what I wrote and I couldn't tell you that I was playing around. I never got to tell you that. I am so sorry. I love and miss you so much. For a long time after your death, I kept thinking that this was only a dream that I would wake up from or that you weren't really dead, but were sent on some secret mission for the government. I hoped you'd show up one day and tell us how sorry you were for putting us through this, but it was for some secret mission. May you rest in peace and I hope that one day we will be together again and I will have many years to be your little sister. Love you, Juanita

Juanita Johnson-Haynes, Attorney at Law
Sister

August 18, 2006

Motorman, Well done. You will never be forgotten.

Senior Motor Officer M. Thurmond
MPD

July 11, 2006

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

July 11, 2006

hey still havent forgotten that tragic day i found out my cousin was in a horrible accident that claimed his life. it felt like my life has been destroyed. less that 3 months before my cousin died my fatther passed away. its been a rough year in 1999. i love you don

terry vaughan
cousin

June 9, 2006

Brother Johnson,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

December 22, 2005

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

June 22, 2005

Its hard to believe so much time has passed since your tragic accident. I still think of you and the kindness that you never failed to show everyone you came in contact with. Whether you were serving papers, answering a call or conducting an escort, you were always courteous to those of us behind the mic. Even after I moved to another department you never failed to find me and say hello when you were there on other business. You brightened many cloudy days for me Don! Thanks for being such a good friend, neighbor and "brother". I miss you Don! Rest easy my friend.

Asst Communications Mgr Leigh Brandt
Panama City Police Dept, Florida

August 10, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

I'm very thankful to see many of the reflections left about my dad on here. I understand that the woman whom killed my father was very impoorly justified, but what comes around goes around as the old saying goes. I miss my father very much, and I know he is looking down on me, and my mother and sister. I think about him everyday, and tears almost come to my eyes everytime I think about how much I miss him and how much I wished he was around (and how much he could've disciplined me in the last couple of years).
I remembered that morning before he died, I was able to get one last hug from him before he ran off to work, and little did I know he wouldn't ever return. After that night when he died, everything changed for the worse, and slowly over time things were better, but that hole is still inside me, the missing piece, which was once my father. I am really thankful for everyone who supported my family and I through this really tough time, and all the donations we recieved. Everyones help brought us back to our feet and move on with our lives again, but we will never forget the man who once and still is a great father, husband, brother, son and friend to those who remember him. God bless everyone and thank you once again.

Justin Johnson , Son

January 20, 2004

Hi Don, I miss you alot. I have been hanging out with your precious daughter, whom you adored. She is a very beautiful young lady. As your uncle Jim used to say, she's gonna be a little heartbreaker one day. I can't believe its been four years since you've been gone, I cry secretly for you, althugh we weren't very close, but you were my family. I love you Don, always have and always will, and one day when I have children, I will tell them what a wonderful sheriff deputy and cousin you were. I love you and god bless!!!

terry vaughan
cousin

December 29, 2003

Don,

It is hard to believe that it has been oer four years since you were tragically taken from us. I remember the day of the accident like it was yesterday. The panic and confusion on the radio as I raced across the Hwy 388 to get to you. I remember being the first deputy on scene. You were fighting hard for your life as the paramedics attended to your injuries. It seems like it took forever to get you in the ambulance, but it was only a matter of minutes. I remember leading the ambulance to Bay Medical, clearing all the intersections so the ambulance didn't have to slow down and waste precious time. I remember waiting at the hospital for what seemed like a long time until I had to leave. And I finally remember hearing on the news later that night that you had passed away. I have since moved on from the BCSO; however, your memory still lives on. You will never be forgotten. Godspeed brother.

Investigator John T. Webb
Waynesboro Police Department

October 31, 2003

One cannot begin to grasp the words that tell you how much your sacrifice has meant to me and so many alike Don.  You are the cousin I've never really known and yet we both share so much in common.  We both defend this great nation everyday and take great pride in our commitment to the people of our communities.  I regret not knowing the person we call Don Jr better.  I have a different way of looking at this Don because I don't really believe you left us on July 11, 1999.  I believe it's ironic how you gave 36 years to include serving our armed forces and then serving our communities just so your life here could be taken by such injustice.  You fought the very injustice that claimed your life and I pray that your ultimate sacrifice will not be somehow forgotten over the years but rather an example to all that life is fragile and should be cherished.  I hope you are well in your new community Don.  I hope to see you there someday.  I'm proud of you and I reflect on you when I am down.  Your family sends their love!

Jason Ward
Department of the Army

I would like to follow up on the accident of Don Johnson. The woman who struck Don head-on was slapped with a big fat ticket! That's right, a ticket for illegle lane changing!! That is it. A small price to pay for taking a life away from a family. No wreckless driving fine or anything.To be honest, justice has been eluded not served. Do you want to hear her excuse? "I was running late for church". She should have to pay $1.00 a week to Don's family just so it can remind herself what she has taken away from his family.

James Vaughan

I have never had the privilege to meet you Don. I was on my way home on September 10th, 1997 when I was struck by a vehicle turning left in front of me. I was on my Harley FXRP. I in turn was life-flighted to an area hospital. My wife had been told that I was possibly dead.

I write this only to say I can and will be here to give your family someone to talk with if needed. I cannot understand why I survived when others do not.....but I can only offer my sincere heartfelt pain and sorrow for the loss of another fine wheelman as yourself.

You will forever be in my memory...…

Patrolman Michael E. Howell
Kansas City Police Department, KS

I didn't know Don as well as others did as I am a rookie at the Sheriff's Office. I saw Don regularly passing through my zone on his Harley Davidson as he lived in the area in which I serve. Yesterday, the day of the accident, Don passed by me as I was sitting at a stop sign, while on patrol. Don waved, and I waved back. Who was to know that later that day I would be the one who was called to a traffic crash which claimed Don's life. I was devastated, not only because I have never had anything happen to me like this, but because I was the one who brought Don's belongings (boot's, shirt, ball cap) and pieces of the bike to the Office. Don may not have known my name, but we were brothers who belonged to the same family, the Bay County Sheriff's Office. I leave with this quote: God hath no greater love than a person who lays his life down for his friends. We'll miss you Don.

Deputy William T. Brotherston
Bay County Sheriff's Office, FL

Rest in peace motorman.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Today, July 11, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Sheriff Donald Johnson Jr., who died on this date four years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Johnson's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

TAKING THE LIFE OF DEPUTY JOHNSON WAS NOT NECESSARY. IT WAS PREVENTABLE, THE ONE WHO DID THIS TO HIM SHOULD HAVE PAID A BIGGER PRICE. SHE SHOULD HAVE TO FACE THE WIFE AND CHILDREN EVERY SUNDAY AND TELL THEM HOW SORRY SHE IS. SHE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR LOSS. SHE SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR SOME KIND OF FUNERAL EXPENSES.

terry biddle
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