Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God take you into his kingdom. You were a man of honor.

Reserve PO J. Gonzalez
Sayreville, NJ

November 16, 2004

I'm soory to hear of the loss of another fine man. I served two years in Forsyth county and hold the Forsyth County Sheriffs Dept in high regard. I didn't know Sgt. Johnson personally, but I wish to let his family know his death has touched many people. He will never be forgotten.

Trp. Barry K. Henline
NCSHP

November 16, 2004

I always have a tough time reading the memorial pages on this website, because it is painful to see all the officers leave us. It never gets any easier, and I don't want it to.

I never had the pleasure to meet Sergeant Johnson, but I know that like many of us, policing and helping others were probably his passion. Although tough to understand, I know he is at a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Johnson's family. His family has stood by the hero, and now their sacrifise shall be a tale of heroism as well. God bless.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God"

A/Cst. Hsu
Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police

November 16, 2004

Thoughts and prayers are with your family , loved ones and your Dept.

Rest in Peace Brother
Matthew 5:9

deputy 615
Wake County Sheriff's Offiice N.C.

November 16, 2004

The FBI Agents Association salutes your service. May God be a father to your children and may the church be a husband to your wife. Rest In Peace from a former Reserve Police Officer to you.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit

November 16, 2004

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Cpl. Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department

November 16, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Sergeant Johnson's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Sergeant Johnson, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

November 15, 2004

My prayers and sympathy goes out to the family of Sgt. James Johnson Sr., and also to the family of the other deputy that was wounded.
Nothing can replace your officer, but I pray that your memories of him in happy times will help to ease the pain you're feeling now. He showed a devotion to duty, and courage that others can only aspire to when he went to the aid of his neighbors. The same can be said for the other deputy, also.
Sgt. Johnson did not lose his life-he gave it in service, and you can be sure that he watches over you still.
Rest easy, Brother; you will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Barbara L. Beland
Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, IN

November 15, 2004

I honor you Jim. You walked the path of the warrior and protected all of us.
With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

November 15, 2004

Why do people do Reserve Work? Why do people take an unpaid job that you can be killed doing? Because it is what this country was founded on service to your county, state, and country Some people tell me I am crazy when they find out being a Reserve is an unpaid position I say it is community service just liking working in a charity to help people It is a calling to be a Reserve and few are called

My prayers go out to this officer family may god wrap you in his embrace

Sgt Johnson I say well done you served your fellow man and left a lasting legacy of what being a true american is all about service for a better life for your community

Reserve Deputy
Texas

November 15, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Sergeant Johnson. It's been five months now since we lost one of our own and know all to well the pain and reality it brings. Take comfort from knowing your law enforcement family grieves with you.

Rest in peace, hero.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

November 15, 2004

May his punishment be swift and harsh. An officer trying to protect his niegborhood and family. A community and a greatful nation will be forever in your debt. God be with the family.

CPL GARY E MINTZ, TRAFFIC ENF
HENDERSON CO SHERIFF'S OFFICE NC

November 15, 2004

Rest in peace my brother. My prayer are with the family, friend and the S/O

Reserve Deputy Steve Landon
El Paso County Sheriff's Office Colorado Springs CO

November 15, 2004

SGT. JOHNSON, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. REST EASY BROTHER !

DEP. PAUL SPERANDEO
JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFFS OFFICE, LA.

November 15, 2004

I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the fallen officer, his family, and friends.

Det. D.L. Akins
Liberty Police Dept. Liberty, NC

November 15, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

November 15, 2004

Always sad to see that someone else has joined the ranks of those that will never be forgotten, and are true heroes to us. His family, friends, and fellow officers will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

Kayla Maskell
an officers daughter

November 15, 2004

this depts prayers are with your family and your agency may god be with them in the days to come.

deputy tl smith
charlotte mecklenburg school law enforcement

November 15, 2004

Reserve Sergeant James Johnson Sr. you are clear for end of watch. Our prayers are with you and your family in this time of need. Rest well brother we'll take it from here.

Reserve Deputy
Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

November 15, 2004

God bless you brother and the job you did, rest well knowing that we will take it from here. A hero is gone today and a hero is honored today. And to the suspect I hope you burn in HELL........................

PO II Russell Ward
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

November 15, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

November 14, 2004

God bless you and keep you always. You are a true hero to us all and you will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

November 14, 2004

I had never visited this site prior to 11/05/04, but now I feel a responsibility to leave a note to the survivors of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of justice. My heart goes out to Sgt. Johnson's family, friends and department.

Linda Lamm
sister of Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

November 14, 2004

We are sad for the loss of this dedicated public servent who choose no pay and he still paid the ultimate sacrifice for his community.Our hearts and prayers go out to the family,friends and to the Forsyth Co.Sheriff's Dept.Sgt.Johnson is a true HERO!I hope the scum that took his life pays the ultimate price that the law allows and then some!

Cpl. David Hazlett #206
Berry Hill P.D./Nashville,Tn.

November 14, 2004

TO THE FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT:
MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AT THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. MAY HIS MEMORY LIVE ON THROUGH EVERYTHING YOU DO.
TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER JAMES JOHNSON:
MY HEART-FELT SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME.
MAY YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOUR HUSBAND AND FATHER DIED A TRUE HERO.
TO OFFICER JAMES JOHNSON:
GOD SPEED

CORPORAL EALINE HUNTER
CHAMBERS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT JAIL DIVISION ANAHUAC,TEXAS

November 14, 2004