[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7203-S7204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING OFFICER CASSIE JOHNSON

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise today to talk of one of West 
Virginia's very own--Police Officer Cassie Johnson.
  Officer Johnson was a member of her hometown of Charleston's police 
department, where she joined less than 2 short years ago.
  She was a devoted daughter, sister, a loyal friend, and a lover of 
animals.

[[Page S7204]]

She had three dogs. She was formerly a humane officer, as well, in our 
community. And, boy, did she have a bright future ahead of her.
  On Tuesday, the Charleston Police Department received a call about a 
traffic complaint. Officer Johnson answered that call and responded 
accordingly, just as she would have any other call.
  Shortly after arriving at that location, she was shot in the chest. 
The bullet hit her badge and deflected into her neck, where it 
eventually struck a main artery.
  She was rushed to the hospital, and every effort was made to save her 
life. She was 28. She was 28 years old.
  Sadly, we learned yesterday that the decision was made to remove her 
from life support, and she will not be able to pull through.
  We also learned that Officer Johnson is an organ donor, which means 
she will be able to share the gift of life with others.
  I had the opportunity to speak with Officer Johnson's mother Sheryl 
just this morning, and she expressed to me her daughter's commitment to 
organ donation. She said that her daughter felt very strongly about 
giving this gift to others in the event that something like this could 
happen. She was very clear about her wishes, and I think that is a 
testament to the kind of person Officer Johnson was.
  As former Charleston Police Department Lieutenant Paul Perdue said, 
``The end of her life will be the second beginning for others and 
that's just who she was.''
  As you can imagine, our community is hurting, and all of our law 
enforcement across the country is hurting today for our community and 
Officer Johnson's family.
  But the outpour of support has just been incredible to witness. 
Throughout this week, West Virginians have been honoring Officer 
Johnson's life in so many ways, such as in Charleston, where our 
beautiful coliseum and civic center has been lit in blue in honor of 
her and our law enforcement.
  There has been a great money-raising effort to help Officer Johnson's 
family meet what is going to be a financial challenge. And what do we 
do with her pets? There has been an effort to have her pets adopted. I 
just read before I came in here that the GoFundMe page for Officer 
Johnson had already exceeded its goal, and, hopefully, it will continue 
to grow.
  Last night a candle vigil was held outdoors to honor her life and 
legacy, where the community leaders spoke and Officer Johnson's mother 
Sheryl spoke. It is a tough duty, a tough assignment for any mom.
  During the vigil, her mother spoke about Officer Johnson's love for 
her community, about her desire to protect everyone she was surrounded 
by.
  You know, when I talked to her mother this morning, she echoed those 
same sentiments in the phone conversation that we had, and she said 
that hundreds of West Virginians had reached out to her personally. 
Many had stopped by the hospital, wanting to say goodbye to Officer 
Johnson. These gestures have just been so touching, and I could tell it 
really helped her family and, in particular, her mother Sheryl.
  Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt told Officer Johnson's mother that 
she raised her right, and that Officer Johnson was ``a good-hearted 
soul who had to pay the ultimate sacrifice.''
  Chief Hunt is right. It is a bitter pill.
  In a local interview following her swearing-in, Officer Johnson said: 
``I am really happy to finally getting to follow my dreams in working 
with Charleston PD.''
  She continued by saying: ``I've grown up and lived in Charleston my 
whole life. I just wanted to help make my city a better place--and be 
there and to be able to help the citizens of this city.''
  This job was a dream come true for Officer Johnson. She loved her 
community, and our community loved her back. Like all of our law 
enforcement, Officer Johnson cared for us and was fiercely dedicated to 
protecting her community--and that is my community. When I think of 
Officer Johnson, I think of her protecting my family and my neighbors, 
my community, the larger community of Charleston.
  Police officers like Officer Johnson selflessly put their lives on 
the line every day for the safety of our communities. They never know 
what is around the corner. They never know. She thought she was going 
for a parking violation. It is a hard job and one that is rarely 
appreciated enough.
  I ask--if you have heard this today or if you have read about this--
that we all take a minute today and every day to thank our law 
enforcement and recognize the sacrifices that they make to ensure that 
our communities are safe and protected.
  I would also ask you to keep the Johnson family in your hearts and 
prayers--our chief, Chief Hunt of the Charleston Police Department, and 
all of her brothers and sisters in the police department and the first 
responders.
  Our mayor, Mayor Amy Goodwin, has done a wonderful job of bringing 
the community together and showing a wonderful show of support for 
Officer Cassie Johnson and her family, and I thank her.
  The entire city of Charleston is hurting, so please keep them in your 
hearts and prayers as well.
  With that very difficult time, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.

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