Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer William L. Johnson of the Springboro Police Department, Ohio and the additional 56 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 27, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer William L. Johnson of the Springboro Police Department, Ohio and the additional 56 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 27, 2023

I never got to meet you, but please know I am a part of you. I am adopted. I knew from age 6, I was adopted, I had th most wonderful parents a boy could have. I always felt, I had siblings but never tried to pursue my curiosity until 2019. My wife gave me a DNA kit for Christmas.
Once I got the results and the names of a few, I started to dig and discovered I am the oldest of 6. You never knew of me, as my mother never told you. I am so very proud of being your son. I have since met all of my siblings and have been welcomed with open arms. I have become close to many of them.
Please know, I am your son. I am a part of you and am honored to be your son.
One day we will meet and grow close as any father and son can be. I love you and am saddened by not having known you and not knowing for all the missed years. The man who killed you, robbed both of us, the opportunity to know each other.
I miss you dad

Bob (Timothy Lee) Gibbs
Oldest son

January 24, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer William L. Johnson of the Springboro Police Department, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 27, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Johnson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2020

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

June 27, 2020

Every single day I think of you and every single day I miss you with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart. Life of memories filled with love and laughter is what I cherish most and continue to try and share with our family.

If there is one wish I could be granted... to give back to others through you... it is for all families to experience just one day of love you gave to your entire family....This day would truly bring love to the world in knowing what a true Hero is
Loving Son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend...most of all ...a father who was loved back unconditionally by all of his children, missed and think about continuously...

I love you and miss you still as if it were just yesterday ...Your Daughter Sherry

Sherry
Daughter

September 25, 2018

I remember Bill well as I helped him get on the dept. He was part-time, then went to full time when I left the dept. Bill was a dedicated officer and performed his duties with upmost knowledge and respect. I was on the dept. from '66 to '78, then going with the D.O.E. as a 'security inspector/weapons training officer'. Bill is missed.

B. R. McKeever Patrolman
Ex-police officer with S.P.D.

June 28, 2018

This my Uncle Bill, he was and still an honorable man. He was a protector, a Gunnery Sgt. In the Marines and Peace Officer. He was always an inspiration.

Roger Williams... civilian
Family member, my Uncle

June 27, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer William L. Johnson of the Springboro Police Department, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

June 27, 2018

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

31 years now... It seems like yesterday. You made a tremendous impact on my life and was the best brother-in-law a girl could ask for... You helped to influence me in my most formidable years, and I will always cherish you...
I will see you again someday on the other side!

Dawn Conley Bowman
Sister-in-Law

June 27, 2014

I saw this officers memorial on the road coming home from school. As a hopeful officer one day this kind of thing touches my heart. Officer Johnson teaches every officer of the dangers of the job and his sacrifice will always be remembered. Thank you Officer Johnson.

Jered Pritchett
Future Officer

May 11, 2014

Your name is hung with pride at the Springboro Police Department. Your sacrifice is a lesson to a new generation of police officers; to cherish every moment they have in this life. All thou you have fallen you will never be forgotten. God bless and semper Fi.

Ptl. Christian
Springboro Police Department

October 11, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary year 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 who was 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 as well so I bid you semper fi and thank you for your service in the Corps.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

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

December 1, 2012

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

June 27, 2012

Officer Johnson was and still is my Uncle....he was a very honorable man and Father. He served our country as a Marine and our family as a leader and a friend. Uncle Bill was a serious man and very well respected. Moreover he was a man who was depended on and admired. To this day I recall him and realize what a tragic unnecessary and loss he was. He was taken way too soon, both from his profession and his family.

Roger Williams
Nephew

May 7, 2012

The man may pass away,,,,but his legacy will not. To my friend, fellow officer,,,you will always be remembered.

Springboro 4,,,,,Bill McKeever
Ex-Springboro officer

December 17, 2011

Twenty eight years have come and gone since that horrific night, but the pain and loss live on. The motto we shared together..."More than yesterday, Less than tomorrow, Is my love for you today" is still forever true. You blessed me with ten wonderful years as my husband, and four beautiful children with whom you would be so proud! We are now Grandparents of 6 Grandchildren and three Great-Grandchildren. I know they would be the apple of your eye! I want you to know, your legacy will continue to live on and you will always remain...My Hero!
Your Loving Wife,
Brenda Sue

Brenda Johnson-Flugum
surviving spouse

July 6, 2011

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain; but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.


Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of US Marshal

November 15, 2010

It will be 25 years (27 June) without you in our lives this year. Thank you for your love. I still miss you as if it were yesterday and miss you with all of my heart. Your daughter, Sherry

Sherry Morgan
Daughter

May 24, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 8, 2008

I just happen to find this site. I think often of Bill and what a great police officer he was. I often think of the times he rode with me when he was a part-time officer. He often told me his goal was to become a full-time officer with Springboro. I told him,,hang in there,,,you will. I left the department in the last of '79 and then moved here to the Tampabay area in '80.
I felt a personal loss, when hearing of his death. At least he was doing what he wanted to do,,,,and that was helping others. Over the years,,,I still have thoughts of the good times that were had while we were on the department together.

Bill McKeever
[email protected]

Bill McKeever
Fellow officer , Springboro PD

August 21, 2007

God bless you Bill. You made Springboro a better place and you will never be forgotten.

Matthew 5:9

An Ohio brother
Montgomery Co., Ohio

July 20, 2007

I never knew you, but I knew Syndra and Billy and in the short time I had the pleasure of knowing them both, it was clear you had such a profound impact on their lives and are forever in their hearts.

Nicole Bailey - Brighton, CO

September 6, 2005