Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

For the families, friends, loved ones, and fellow officers of Trooper Johnson,
I have had you in my prayers since I heard of the shooting. I never had the chance to meet Jeff Johnson- as Gene called him. But from what I have heard and read over the last year he was quite an outstanding man. I remember the day of the funeral, my boyfriend called me as they were driving from the service to the burial. He was in tears and in awe of the people who showed there support on the side of the road as the drove to the cemetary.
I slightly remember the way people were when we had the service for my boyfriend, Deputy Gene Wright II of the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, they pulled over and got out of their cars with their hands on their hearts and a few with tears in their eyes. I remembered then the way Gene sounded when he called in July on the same type of drive for a fellow officer, for Cpl. Johnson. I have found a lot of help and support from fellow survivors during my time of loss. I hope you have found the same support.

My prayers, thoughts, and hugs go out to all of you,
Michele - girlfriend of Deputy Gene Wright II
Berkeley County Sheriff's Office
EOW 11-19-2002

Michele-girlfriend Dpty Gene Wright II
Berkeley County Sheriff's Office EOW 11-19-2002

December 9, 2003

07-07-03, MAY GOD BLESS. IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE YOU MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. SOUTH CAROLINA HAS MISSED YOU,A HERO IS HARD TO REPLACE. REST IN PEACE MY DEAR BROTHER.

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

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