Officer Rodney Johnson, RIP
by David Benzion · 09/22/2006 5:37 amVery sad news to start the day, courtesy the Houston Chronicle:
A simple traffic stop — as routine for Rodney Johnson as putting on his uniform or waving to the residents of the southside neighborhoods he often patrolled — turned suddenly tragic Thursday evening when the veteran Houston police officer was shot and killed as he sat in the front seat of his patrol car near Hobby Airport.
When other officers arrived minutes later at the scene in the 9300 block of Randolph, a handcuffed man remained in the back seat of the squad car along with a pistol thought to have been used in the shooting.
Just after 5 p.m., Johnson had stopped a pickup with two people inside. It was unclear why he detained or handcuffed the driver, though an officer familiar with the incident said he had no identification on him. At least one female passenger left, possibly with Johnson’s permission, but Police Chief Harold Hurtt said he thought officers had found the woman and were bringing her to headquarters for questioning.
A source familiar with the scene said Johnson was shot four times through the plastic shield separating the front and rear seats. Johnson managed to push his emergency button before collapsing. The 12-year veteran of the department was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. [snip]
Johnson graduated from high school in Oakland, Calif., then enlisted in the Army, serving as an MP until he was honorably discharged in 1990. He served as a corrections officer for the Texas Department of Corrections (now the Texas Department of Criminal Justice) and as a Houston police jailer before attending the police academy and graduating in 1994.
Johnson was assigned to the southeast division that year and to the southeast gang task force in 1996. While on the task force he received two Lifesaving Awards from the department and one Medal of Valor from the state. He was married to Houston police officer Joslyn Johnson. They have three daughters and two sons.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Johnson’s wife, children, and other loved ones; friends and fellow officers.
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25 Responses to “Officer Rodney Johnson, RIP”Search
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Thanks to all of the officers out there that put their lives on the line for us.
Second that raiderdav. No words can express the gratitude we feel for those who sacrifice their lives for our safety.
I totally second the above note.
By chance, do Houston patrol cars have dash cams? or is the money being spent to Chief Hurtt’s transportation costs every weekend?
A dash cam would answer alot of questions regarding the incident.
Too bad the Cops show wasn’t filming
flygal
My heart goes out to Officer Johnson’s family, and by extension to all the men and women that stand between those who would do evil and the rest of us. Officer Johnson and the rest of the rank and file Law Enforcement Officers are the sheepdogs that keep us sheep safe from the wolves.
I would like to point something out here that I hope is not lost on Chief Hurtt, but I suspect it is. This was a traffic stop, no different than the upteen jillion traffic stops made every day. If his boneheaded “no-chase” policy were to go into effect, had this wolf ran, he probably would still be on the loose to terrorize and victimize the sheep he came in contact with. It was sheer stupidity on the part of this critter that once he killed the officer, he could not get out of the police car to get away from the scene. That, my friends, is the only reason why this critter was caught.
My heart goes out to the family of Rodney and those that knew him and worked with him. May God bless you.
HPD officers have been screaming for two man units for years! They keep spreading them thinner and thinner. HPD and the City sees them as expendable. Their families think otherwise.
Amen.
What #1 thru #5 said.
God bless Officer Johnson and his wife and children!!!
Condolences and prayers to the Johnsons. Thanks to the officers that do their jobs every day and assume that risk for all of us.
From a non-officer viewpoint, I can’t see any reason why that shouldn’t be absolutely mandatory. That would go for firefighters as well.
#7 amen! May God comfort Officer Johnson’s wife and family and may He have mercy on the slug that shot him.
My condolences and prayers to the Johnson family.
There is nothing more that I can add other than my prayers as well.
Imagine if this had happened on the weekend - would Hurtt have remotely filmed his concern? Not only does the department need to be adequately manned, but there should never be one-man patrol units.
Rodney Johnson RIP
My heart goes out to his family and the citizens of Houston. We are drowning in poor leadership from the city all the way to Washington.
My father was a San Antonio police officer and my grandfather was a Houston police officer, and I know that the one main concern Officer Johnson had in his last moments was, “who will take care of my family?”. As the only ones who benefit from the brave men and women who stand between us and the criminals out there, we should all stand up and answer, “we will!”
When coffee is swilled at 5 bucks plus for acup,
ldn’t we each take the time and the hit to donate at least the amount a few cups of coffee would cost us to help when it cost Officer Johnson everything?!!!
May the Lord place His hand of blessing over the family and loved ones left behind..
if the scum that killed Johnson is proven to be an illegal alien, he should be executed on the spot.
Our police force, no mattter what department they serve, as well as our firemen do a thankless job. They deserve WAY more pay, WAY more respect, WAY more honor than they will ever get. What a shame. Not many people among us are willing to put our own lives on the line to make our quality of life better, and it must be tough from the officer’s point of view, to see the seedy underbelly of the drugs/crime lifestyle. What a daunting task they are faced with every single day of their job.
I always have a smile and a wave for any officer of the law or fireman. They don’t get enough of that.
Navymom - as the wife of a police officer I can tell you that they really appreciate that. When I went to Bass Pro Shops to buy my husband some new work boots, the salesman, finding out what the boots were to be used for, said to tell my husband “Thank you for your service”. I was floored. It shocked me so much that I was left speechless for a second (and that is something that is hard to do to me!) So thank you for your show of appreciate on behalf of all those who protect all of us.
#15 I am HAPPY to do my small part!
I sort of know the feeling you spoke of. My son came home on leave, and we went into a couple of stores and then a restaurant for a family thing and my son was in his naval uniform. SEVERAL people came up to him, perfect strangers, to tell him thanks. I was one proud momma that day, with tears in her eyes every time someone said something extra special to him!
Cops note to self. Make sure the guy in the back seat you just arrested doesnt have a gun.
My prayers for Officer Johnson’s family. It’s sounds like he was a wonderful man.
17
Cheddar boy
Easier said than done. Never had to wear body armor to work have you? Easy for you to second guess what happened and make that statement from a safe spot. The crook that killed Guy Gaddis was searched! Sometimes the crooks get the upper hand. Would have been better if there were two officers in the car to keep each other on their toes and to keep each other alive.
I’m sorry for Officer Johnson’s family. God bless them all. I’m a bit angry and surprised that outta town Hurrt was even around to say a word or two.
#17
That was cheezy!
You have no idea what transpired!
As I understand a female was at the scene. How do you know she did not give it to the perp or that she was not the shooter?????
Nonetheless, it is a tragic loss for Houston. All persons, men and women in uniform, have my deepest respect. May the Johnson family find peace and comfort in their faith to survive this ordeal.
#17
Your handle is almost correct. SOB of SOUR, SMELLY A** Cheese would be much better.
I guess you agree with the Chron, it was the officers fault. Scum.
What was gratifying to me were the pictures of Officer Johnson with the other offcers of different Races. It would be nice to think that the projections of racial harmony and respect that we see on the TV and Movies may at last be coming true. Thank you, all the families who provide us with those who protect us.
My heart goes out to the family of Rodney. May God be with you in this hard moment that we are all going throught, even thoug we didn’t know him as much as you do.
you have to know that my family and I are keeping you in our prayers.