Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jeanene,
I joined the Dade County PSD March 3rd of 1969 so I did not know Earl. However, when I recently purchased a new Challenge Coin for Miami Dade Police Motorcycle Unit, of which I was a part of for 9+ years, I noticed the badge # that was imprinted on the badge was Earl's, #721. I would be glad to send you one if you would like.

William Solen, Sgt Retired
Metro Dade PD, 1969-1994

May 21, 2024

Jeanene, I didn't know your Daddy but you and yours can be extraordinarily proud. I too wish you had more time with him and your family was entitled. Know that your Daddy sacrificed his life so that others can live. God bless you and yours and have a Merry Christmas!

Robert D. Foreman
Retired Motorcycle Sergeant MDPD
262-844-2193

Retired Sergeant/Robert D. Foreman
Miami-Dade Police Deparment

December 7, 2023

I am the oldest daughter of Earl Lee Johnson Jr with very few memories as I was 4 when he passed. I just wish there had been more time

Jeanene Denise Widner

June 11, 2023

Officer Johnson,
Please forgive me for not doing this on the anniversary of your EOW. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you you served with the USMC. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 19, 2022

Semper Fi Marine. Thank you for your service to our beloved Corps and to our Law Enforcement family. May you Rest In Peace.

State Traffic Officer 7185.
California Highway Patrol & US Marine

February 3, 2022

Earl is my Uncle, I was 10, when he did his best to assist an officer who had been shot. He was truly loved by his family and friends. I remember being a Flower Girl when my Uncle "Sockey", married my Aunt Yvonne. My Father, was also a Metro-Dade Police Officer on the Motorcycle Unit. My Uncle Sockey is a Hero, and I will never forget him.

Charlotte Bennett Kelley Retired R.N.
Niece

July 14, 2019

a true hero, SEMPER FI

Every grunt
U.S.M.C.

February 3, 2017

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 27, 2016

Officer Johnson - you paid the ultimate sacrifice during the feverish manhunt for the shooters of my Uncle, Officer Ed Spisak. He is alive today and the three suspects were caught and brought to justice, in part to your heroism. I am forever grateful. You are a warrior that was taken too soon. Gone, but never forgotten. We will take it from here.

Deputy Sheriff K. Gallart
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

September 4, 2015

Today, I visited your grave Officer Johnson. Rest in peace you will not be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Johnson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 50th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was also your brother in green so I bid you semper fi.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. In my mind, there is no greater call to duty than respond to an officer down call. Your actions on that fateful day prove that there is no "off duty" when it comes to aiding an officer in need of help. God bless you and your family.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 3, 2012

Earl was my uncle, I was 4 when the tragic accident happened. My father was a Metro Dade Police Officer and on the motorcycle unit. It was so painful for the family, it was hard for them to talk about it. When they did speak about Earl they said he was extremely dedicated to his family and the job. May he RIP.

Lee Bennett

Assistant Chief
Retired Broward Sheriff's Office

September 4, 2011

Your dedication and sacrifice are not forgotten.

Hero in life, not death. I hope your family knows you are rememebered.

[email protected]

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 3, 2011

Time has not healed the pain in the hearts of those you left behind, but may they know that we will never forget their hero and the sacrifice you made for all of us. Continue to rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

February 3, 2011

To The Family of Officer Johnson:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your tragic passing. To leave behind a wife and 3 young daughters has got to be difficult, but you will forever be remembered for your dedication, bravery and courage. You heard the call of an officer down and never hesitated. Rest in peace Officer Johnson. There is a slogan that says "The Few The Proud The Marines." My dad was a New York City police officer for nearly 40 years from the 102 precinct.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 1, 2011

I just wanted to thank everyone who has written a reflection to my dad. I was only 6 months old when he died, but my mother always told me about him. I read all the newspaper articles and was very proud of him and the community for pitching in and helping my family. I had once thought that I would also go into law inforcement following his footsteps, but as I got older, I chose to follow my mom's and be a nurse instead. She never remarried and worked very hard as a nurse to support my two sisters and myself. It was very hard growing up without a father, but I know it was his best intent to help up hold the law. He loved his job and died doing it to his best ability. Thank you again.

Yvette Y. Demko
Daughter

June 24, 2009

Reading of what had happened to Officer Johnson it made me refleck on my experiance as a motorman of 17 years on the motor. I also always left my radio on when I washed the bike, Earl was a hero to do what he did to help his fellow officer in trouble.Miami Dade Police Dept should hold his memory high as a hero and his family should be very proud of him . Living in Miami most of my life it was officers like Motorman Johnson That made me want to be a Police Officer. I want to thank Officer Johnson for his service and giving me a career that was very successful. Rest in Peace my HERO and God bless You.

Retired Deputy Sheriff Steve Wexler
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office - Motorman

November 16, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR POLICE AND MILITARY SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 29, 2008

OFFICER JOHNSON, YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR COUNTRY AND DEPARTMENT WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

November 11, 2007

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

February 3, 2007

It has been 44 years since your death, but you are not forgotten. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your brother officer. That is what hero's are made of. Thank you your service to our great Country and MDPD. God Bless you.

Police Sergeant (ret)
Charlotte North Carolina

October 13, 2006

Officer Johnson,
On today, the 44th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but for our Country as well when you served in the USMC.

Semper Fi Devil Dog
A fellow LEO;former Marine

February 3, 2006

I was on the Metro-Dade Police Department at the time of Earl's death back in 1962 and remember it well.

I never knew Earl personally, but i've always considered him a hero, and an example of the ultimate cop.

The day that Officer Johnson lost his life he was off-duty, in his yard, washing his police motorcycle. He had his police radio on and heard of a fellow officer being shot. Not even in uniform, he threw on his gunbelt, his motorcycle helmet, cranked up the bike and took off to help a fallen brother.

He was off duty. He didn't have to go.
But on duty or off duty Officer Johnson was a dedicated professional Police Officer. Without a second thought he responded to a downed officer and gave his life in doing so.

Three years later i was on the same motorcycle squad. Every time i washed my police bike i would leave my police radio on to monitor the calls and i ALWAYS remembered officer Johnson, and the day he died. Strange how we reflect back on those things.

Just checked Officer Johnson's memorial site here and found that no one had left him a "reflection."

Its been 43 years since this fine officer died. Just couldn't let it go without saying a few words about my fellow Metro-Dade brother.

He was truely a credit to Law Enforcement and should be remembered for his honor and dedication.

Rest in peace my friend.
You are NOT forgotten.

William L.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement

April 26, 2005