Heroes Who Walk Among Us

Meet Montgomery Police Corporal D.L. Johnson. He is a veteran of Desert Storm who was seriously injured in an explosion. The father of four children patrols the busy streets of his districts and answers the calls that come in nightly.

It is obvious from riding with him last week that the people of his districts know and respect him. He doesn’t drive down many streets without getting a friendly wave from an elderly resident or a greeting from a child. He has a degree in social work and said he loves the interactions he has with the people he sees daily. He wants people, especially children, to view the police not as men and women who will take them to jail but as individuals who are there to help them.

I watched him and his fellow officers try to help two families who had reportedly been leased the same home and were both there to move in. One of the families also said their belongings had been stolen from the house. The officers managed to ease their concerns and diffused what could have been a volatile situation.

Nightfall became more ominous. Rain made visibility more difficult as Johnson responded to a possible armed robbery call. This could be the most frightening part of the job because the officers are never sure what they are responding to until they get to the scene. I know that my heart was pounding wildly as we met the victim. Johnson was able to get a good description of the suspect, a breakthrough as the woman is suspected of similar crimes in the past two weeks. Now, officers have a chance to bring her in for questioning.

Johnson is just one of the hundreds of officers of the MPD who put their lives on the line every day. I hope to tell you about them in the coming months as I meet them and learn about the departments I now serve. These men and women are truly heroes who walk among us.