[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H2198-H2199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING OFFICER MICHAEL JOHNSON

  (Ms. LOFGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

[[Page H2199]]

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer condolences to the family 
and friends of Officer Michael Johnson of the San Jose Police 
Department, who was killed in the line of duty on March 24, 2015, when 
he responded to a 911 call and was shot by a disturbed man armed with a 
rifle.
  Mike graduated from the San Jose Police Academy on June 15, 2001. 
Over his 14-year career, Mike served as a patrolman, court liaison, 
prescription drug fraud specialist, and, most recently, a field 
training officer in charge of mentoring young cadets.
  Like other officers, Mike recognized the inherent danger in wearing 
his badge and responding to calls, but he accepted these risks and 
ultimately gave his life serving his community.
  He is survived by his wife, Nikki; parents, Daniel Johnson and 
Katherine Decker; step-parents, Dann Decker and Penny Johnson; sister, 
Jamie Radack; a niece and nephew; his grandmother; and his in-laws. I 
hope they take solace in knowing that our entire community is in 
mourning with them. The San Jose PD is in mourning. The city of San 
Jose is in mourning. This Congress is in mourning.


                  In Honor of Officer Michael Johnson

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, Congresswoman Anna 
Eshoo, Congressman Mike Honda, and Congressman Eric Swallwell, to offer 
our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Michael 
Johnson, a courageous and dedicated officer of the San Jose Police 
Department who was killed in the line of duty on March 24, 2015, when 
he responded to a 911 call and was shot by a suicidal man armed with a 
rifle.
  Mike, a 14-year veteran of the department, was known in the community 
for his kindness and compassion. He grew up in San Jose, graduating 
from Gunderson High School in 1995. His siblings knew before he did 
that he was bound to follow in the footsteps of his father, Daniel 
Johnson, who was a military police officer for the United States Army 
and who later joined the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department. Mike 
graduated from the San Jose Police Academy on June 15, 2001.
  He saw himself as a protector. At Mike's memorial service, San Jose 
Police Department Chief Larry Esquivel said Mike was everything he 
looks for in an officer: a warrior and a guardian when needed, but also 
empathetic and eager to engage the community. His easy-going, mild-
mannered demeanor and exemplary career made him an effective officer.
  Over his 14-year career, Mike served as a patrolman, court liaison, 
prescription drug fraud specialist, and, most recently, a field 
training officer in charge of mentoring young cadets. He was also 
assigned to the covert response unit because of his skill as an expert 
marksman and his reputation as a model officer. He was known as one of 
the most skilled marksmen on the force; he medaled often at the Police 
and Fire Games and was set to be inducted in the competition's hall of 
fame. He specifically volunteered to be a field-training officer for 
the department, which was his assignment when he responded to the 
fateful 911 call.
  Mike was active in San Jose, as is his family. He and his wife Nikki 
planned to raise a family there. His mother, Katherine Decker, became 
active in making their neighborhood a better place and now serves on 
the executive board of the VEP Community Association, a neighborhood 
group that represents more than 2,000 families in Blossom Valley. 
Outside of work, Mike enjoyed practicing and teaching jujitsu. He had 
earned his black belt in 2008, served as an instructor at his dojo, and 
particularly enjoyed teaching jujitsu to kids.
  At the memorial service, Mike's sister, Jamie Radack, said that Mike 
always lived life to the fullest, and took a ``go big or go home'' 
attitude to everything he did. He didn't just play chess in high 
school, she said; he captained the chess team. He didn't just scuba 
dive; he dove with great white sharks at the Farallon Islands. This 
passion extended to the love he showed to his family, and also to the 
dedication with which he served the police department. Like other 
officers, Mike recognized the inherent danger in wearing his badge and 
responding to calls. But he accepted these risks.
  At approximately 6:48 p.m. on March 24, Officer Michael Johnson was 
among the first on scene responding to an apartment complex on Senter 
Road. The police had received a 911 call regarding an unstable man who 
was armed and threatening to harm himself and his family. Mike and 
three other officers carefully approached the home, knowing that each 
step placed them closer to danger, but also closer to protecting a 
family and a community. The officers were met with gunfire by the man, 
and Mike was fatally wounded.
  Michael Johnson was 38 years old. He had married his wife Nikki in a 
civil ceremony on August 3, 2013, and was planning a formal wedding 
ceremony on August 29, 2015. Mike is survived by his wife Nikki, 
parents Daniel Johnson and Katherine Decker, step-parents Dann Decker 
and Penny Johnson, sister Jamie Radack, a niece and nephew, his 
grandmother and his in-laws. I hope they take solace in knowing that 
the entire community is mourning with them. We are heartbroken by 
Mike's passing, but inspired by the way he lived his life and protected 
others. We will remember his dedication, and strive to contribute as 
fully to our community as he did through his service.

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