Thousands of law enforcement officers from throughout the State of California, and some from out of state, paid tribute to San Jose Police Officer Michael Johnson in a moving tribute at SAP center. An hour long procession from a Los Gatos funeral home, through Campbell and into downtown San Jose included dozens of police agency cars and motorcycles escorting the hearse carrying Johnson’s body. Bystanders lined the streets along the route to pay tribute to the fallen officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty March 24.
Included in the list of speakers were California Attorney General Kamala Harris, San Jose Police Chief Larry Esquivel, Officer Johnson’s sister and a former classmate and friend from Johnson’s police academy class.
“We thank you for your life and your sacrifice for us,” said Officer David Solis, now a Menlo Park police officer. “That did not make you a hero; you were already a hero while you lived.”
Chief Esquivel choked back tears as he described the phone call he received with the news of Johnson’s death. ”In 30 years as a police officer, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
AG Harris spoke on behalf of the State of California saying, “Officer Johnson’s death is an eternal reminder that safety comes at a supreme price. And that price must always be remembered by a great state and her people.”
Officer Johnson’s sister, Jamie Radack, described her brother as one whose motto was “go big or go home” who did everything with purpose. “He didn’t just make a cheesecake, he used our grandma’s super secret recipe and he not only kept the recipe secret, he literally stored it in his gun safe.”
Officer Johnson is the first San Jose officer to be killed in the line of duty since 2001, when Officer Jeffrey Fontana, an academy classmate of Johnson’s was also killed on the job.
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