South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina
End of Watch Sunday, July 7, 2002
Reflections for Corporal Kenneth Jeffrey Johnson
I found this place by accident or was it an accident maybe it was meant for me to come here. I sit here, going on 4 hrs reading these reflections and shedding afew tears, I see some of my brothers friends and co-workers have stopped by and I appreciate it but what about all of these people who never met Jeff some of you from near and some from afar. I don't know if you all have any idea of how it makes me feel to know that brother was part of a brotherhood that in his death as in his life touched so many for that I'm extremely thankful. I have so much I could tell you about this man..how he loved his wife and kids more than anything, how he loved his family, how he loved being a Trooper, how he loved to coach his kids in sports, how he loved to go fishing or golfing..his fravorite's the Cincinnati reds and Pete Rose (joe hussle) who he played like in Dixie youth baseball or the Indianapolis Colts who he'd pick to win there game on Sunday no matter who they were playing..just some of the good thing about him and the good times I'll remember..and will never forget..I have met so many people in this new family over the last 11 months..Mr. Coates father of SC Trooper Mark Coates, Mrs. Rao mother of SC trooper Michael Rao and all of the others, it has helped so much having these people who have walked in our shoes to talk and cry with..I want to thank them and all of the others who have made this trip a little easier..if that's possible..I miss up, I honor you and I love you brother..keep guard over all of us..
Brother Jr. Johnson
Rest easy, Troop. You are not forgotten. Nor will you ever be. May the Lord comfort those you leave behind and show no mercy to your killer.
Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)
"Last night I had a crazy dream, a wish was granted just for me it could be for any thing."
"I didn't ask for money or a mansion in Malibu, I simply wished for one more day with you."
- Diamond Rio
Godspeed Brother.
Captain Scott Wright
Mount Holly Police Department, NC
THIS IS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF CORPORAL JOHNSON.
I BEG YOU…TO HAVE PATIENCE WITH EVERYTHING UNRESOLVED IN YOUR HEART AND TRY TO LOVE THE QUESTIONS THEMSELVES AS IF THEY WERE LOCKED ROOMS OR BOOKS WRITTEN IN A VERY FOREIGN LANGUAGE. DON’T SEARCH FOR THE ANSWERS, WHICH COULD NOT BE GIVEN YOU NOW, BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE THEM. AND THE POINT IS, TO LIVE EVERYTHING. LIVE THE QUESTIONS NOW. PERHAPS THEN, SOMEDAY FAR IN THE FUTURE, YOU WILL GRADUALLY, WITHOUT EVEN NOTICING IT, LIVE YOUR WAY INTO THE ANSWER...
Special Agent Keisha R Sinkler
SC Law Enforcment Division
This incident took place approx 2 miles from my home. So sad, so senseless. Another officer taken too soon. I am proud to share duties with people of such fiber and substance. My 3 and 5 year old boys look up to us as heros. God strenghen this officer's family. Be with them as each day brings a memory of the fallen one... let the memories be sweet and enouraging. Be Safe, brothers and sisters... go home at the end of your shift.
Deputy DJH
Charleston County SO, SC
Keep on walkin´on heavens beat brother in arms!
Everyone of us in remembered by his brothers all over the world!
My heart goes out to the family of Corp. Johnson. As an Officer and wife of a North Carolina State Trooper, I know the situations that sometimes arise during checkpoints. All I can say is thank you for all of your time spent protecting the citizens, and may you rest in peace. God bless you and your family
Officer S.C. Sales
PCMH Police Dept, Greenville, NC
Rest in peace brother.
Senior Officer D.G. Brunson
South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services
KJ don't worry about Missy and the kids, we will keep stuff straight for you while you gone. Glad we got to talk before it happened. Guess I'll see you later homes, when its my turn to go see the king. Oh yeah, never got to give you that Texas tag back.
TCO J F Sweatman
SCHP DIst 6
TO MY FELLOW BROTHER TROOPER K.J. JOHNSON, YOU HAVE GIVEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN LIFE TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATES. OUR DUTY, LOYALTY, AND HONOR GOES UNREWARDED DAY IN AND DAY OUT. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS THOUGH, WE (TROOPERS) ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO BE PROTECTORS OF THOSE WHO CAN'T PROTECT THEMSELVES, THE LORD HAS CHOSEN US FROM BIRTH AND WE ACCEPT THIS CALLING NOT KNOWING WHY AT TIMES BUT CONTINUE ON BEING THE PROTECTOR. YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, MY BROTHER, THE PROTECTOR. GOD SPEED
TROOPER R. BARNES
MARYLAND STATE POLICE
To the family, wife and children of Corporal Kenneth Johnson:
I am terribly sorry for the loss you are suffering. The grief, shock, pain and bewilderment must be beyond words. Know that your family in the nation's law enforcement community share your pain, to a small degree at least, and care deeply for you. Corp. Johnson must surely have been a noble, responsible and compassionate man to have dedicated so many years to law enforcement. His heroism served his community well (small comfort to you, I know). May you be blessed in unseen ways, for the rest of your lives, because of his sacrifice. And may you be reunited in heaven, all your tears wiped away.
God bless you and be with you through these difficult times.
Theresa Mignano Heyn, survivor
OSP Sr. Trp. Maria Mignano EOW 9/4/01
Jeff was a friend of mine. I had known him for about 6 years. Our families would go camping and boating together. I am 10 years older than Jeff but he had an influence on me in the way he was a father to his children. I can only hope that I was as good a father to my chlidren as he was. I will miss him as will the many many people that he touched with his laugh and humor. I know he is watching out for us from up above as he did here on earth.God please bless his family and keep an eye on them. Jeff, thanks for giving me the pleasure of knowing you and becoming your friend.
1st.Sgt. Chuck Dial
SCDNR
I know what pain Cpl's Johnson family is experiencing. I just lost my son, SC Senior Trooper Michael Rao, on June 12, 2002 while he was working on I-95 in Clarendon County.
The days ahead will be tough. Some days I don't know how we get through, but with the Lord's help, we do.
I am so very proud of my son and of Cpl Johnson for the job they did, for the state they represented, and for the respect they earned from their peers and from the citizens of South Carolina.
God, grant us the peace and comfort that we will need to move forward. Mike and Jeff will not be forgotten--they made a difference!
Lois Rao
Mother of SC Senior Trooper Michael Rao
I met Cpl. Jeff Johnson about nine years ago when he was then Lance Corporal Johnson. I was a rookie city police officer and immediately had a rapport with Jeff and would occasionally cross paths with him when his duties brought him into the city. When I learned that Jeff was promoted to Corporal, I could think of no Trooper that would represent the State of South Carolina or the Berkeley/Charleston County district better. I, and many of my colleauges, were saddened at the loss of Cpl. Jeff Johnson to our law enforcement community and will miss him for the remainder of our lives. The South Carolina Highway Patrol lost a fine Trooper that will be very difficult to replace. Every police officer lost a true friend.
Sergeant John Grainger
City of Goose Creek Police Department
thank you for your service sir. god bless you and your family. R.I.P.
Rest in peace brother! God bless you & your family. We have the watch.. Job well done.
K.S.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept.(NC)
God bless you and your family for your defense of my freedom. Tears from an old Marine.
If there was a slab of interstate, highway, or roadway my family traveled on I would want that caliber Trooper working it.
To Corporal Johnson family and friends our hearts and prayers are with you. May God bless you and may your love one rest in peace.
D. Jones
Mother of Officer Ron Jones
EOW 12/26/01
PPD, Prentiss Ms.
May our Lord and Savior bless your family and may He walk with the officer of the South Carolina Highway Patrol daily.
Ofcr. Phillip Shuler
Metro Nashville Police Dept.
Rest in peace, you are in our thoughts and prayers...
Officer Don Hurley
Eloy Az. Police Department
To the family, friends & co-workers of Corporal Johnson,
I was in Myrtle Beach and had just purchased a copy of a Police Officer's Prayer when I heard about your loved one's tragic death. Some people mean well when they say that he is in a better place and even though that is so, it doesn't help you feel any better. Just know there are others who have been there in your shoes and we will be praying for you. The days ahead of you will be filled with many feelings...pain, sorrow, anger, some guilt, loneliness and joy for having known Corporal Johnson. Let your friends and loved ones help you through this most difficult time. Time hasn't seemed to help lessen my pain any but hopefully it will help you and me also learn to cope with our pain & loneliness. May God bless and keep each of you and give you strength.
Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin E. Taylor NCHP E.O.W. 10-3-01
Telecommunicator
NC Highway Patrol
Gone But NEVER FORGOTTEN. For now we have the watch that you so bravely gave your life for. Honor and defend it we will for now we have another angel to always guide us. Rest in peace our brother, you shall forever be missed.
Keith Porter
Medshore Ambulance Service
My family and I would like to express our deepest appreciation to Cpl Johnson and his family for his ultimate sacrifice for the people of South Carolina. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
FTO Matthew Sisler
Mount Pleasant Police Dept. SC
I did not have the opportunity to ever meet Cpl Johnson, but I felt the pain of his loss like every other Trooper and law enforcement officer. We do not like to think about it, but we know that each day when we leave home it may be the last time we see our loved ones on earth. My family and I want to convey to Cpl Johnson's family that we are praying for them, and that the law enforcement community will be here to support them. I am also going to leave a copy of a poem that was read at Eric Nicholson's funeral. It had such an impact upon me that I carry it with me everywhere I go.
The policeman stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as neatly 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 that carry badges
Can't always be a Saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my walk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the street 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 just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook in fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among these 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 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 borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown
Thank you, Cpl Johnson, for your service to the great state of South Carolina.
TFC DW Sexton
SCHP - District 4
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