Sergeant Derek R. Johnson
Died on September 1, 2013
Age: 32Draper City Police Department
Homicide: Shooting
Draper Sgt. Derek R. Johnson, 32, was shot and killed while on uniformed patrol in the early morning hours of September 1, 2013.
Shortly before shift change, Sgt. Johnson encountered a car parked at an odd angle near 13200 South and Fort Street (900 East). When he stopped to investigate, a homeless suspect fired on him with a handgun through the open window of his patrol vehicle.
Struck at least one time, Sgt. Johnson managed to accelerate his patrol vehicle away from the scene. He lost control and crashed into a tree. Backup officers responding to a call for help located Sgt. Johnson and attempted CPR, however the decorated officer died of his wounds.
After shooting Sgt. Johnson, the 35-year-old male suspect also shot his female companion and then himself. Both survived and were charged with murder. The suspect later pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. His female companion pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice charges.
Married and the father of a six-year-old son, Sgt. Johnson had served with the Draper Police Department for nine years. The first Draper City officer to die in the line of duty is buried in Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
Thank you Sgt. Johnson for keeping us safe in Draper. May God bless you and your family.
May God continue to bless you, your wife and your sweet son. The sadness of your loss will remain with those left behind. You are a HERO in many eyes and your legacy will live on through the Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.
You were a true example of what a hero is. Your smile and simple acts of every day kindness will not be forgotten. In your short time with us, you touched many lives. Our family will always remember how you were there to support us in a time of need. The world is a better place because of you and your wonderful family.
I miss you my friend. You will not be forgotten! I was recently approached by an adult female who’s name I don’t know. She shared with me a story that while off duty you found her and a baby who fell from a cliff. She survived and the baby did not. She told me that you, a complete stranger, spent time with her. You went to the hospital with her. You stayed there with her. You had no obligation to do what you did, but you did it. She wanted me to share the story, though it was hard for her to share with me. May your example be duplicated by many.
Derek, we miss you so very much! These past 4 months have not been easy. We miss you every single day!!!
[…] past 30 years (1983-2013) 29 percent of all Utah officers have fallen during this period as well. Sgt. Derek Johnson’s death makes the past 30 years the worst historical period for Utah police […]
Almost a year has passed and as a Draper resident your sacrifice and duty to the city will always be remembered even by those who never crossed your path. God bless and prayers out to your family forever.
The one year anniversary is almost upon us dear nephew. The love and support of the community continues to carry us through. I know you will be with us all this Sunday. Come “Ride Along” and continue to bless us with all your sacrifice, commitment and selfless acts that you bestowed up this wonderful community you served. God blessed us with calling you family!
The Utah Peace Officer Association is going to be honoring Sgt. Derek Johnson at the Fallen Officer Trail Ride in Moab on April 18 2015. We would like to invite Family and friends to come to the event to help Honor Sgt. Johnson and all our Fallen Officers.
We will be honoring Sgt. Johnson and other victims of Utah gun violence at a Vigil to End Gun Violence on Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 7-8 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City. Families are welcome to attend.
Amazing how many people are affected by ones actions. I am so proud to be a member of the Utah Peace Officer Association which started the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial (we are located in the same building now)and recognize, each year, 14 (different) fallen officers. If anyone has contact information on relatives I am the keeper of fallen officer relative information so we can reach out to family/relative members when these events occur. I can be reached at blsmith@sandy.Utah.gov.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God bless your family. May the Lord keep them safe and give them solace.
What a tragedy! I am always brought to tears whenever I think of the honor and courage and love of those who risk their lives in any capacity to save people, especially strangers who often times don’t even know they are being served or protected. May his sacrifice never be forgotten! Thank God for people like him and their families for their sacrifices on my behalf and others. 💙💙💙
Early in he year of his death, I was pulled over by Sgt. Johnson for going through a stoplight that may have been not quite green. He was very kind, and we chatted for a few minutes before he let me off with a warning, saying “be safe. Stop at those lights before they turn red.” He also thanked ME for being nice, because not everyone is nice when they get pulled over. I told EVERYONE about him over the next few months because he was so awesome, and the story of his death a few months later made me sad. He was definitely one of the good ones, who cared about people. I know his family must be very proud of the man and the officer that he was.