When requested how he felt after receiving the celebrated Purple Coronary heart award Tuesday night time, Lynwood police Officer Michael Johnson gave a small shrug and averted his eyes.
“I’m glad I’m right here to obtain it,” the 50-year-old from Harvey put merely. “I’m not an out-front individual. I can do out entrance, however I prefer to be behind the scenes. So all of that is new for me.”
Johnson was grazed within the shoulder whereas aiding sheriff’s police on a name to Ambassador Lane in Ford Heights June 29. After answering the three a.m. name, Johnson and different officers discovered one man already shot and who was later pronounced useless, in keeping with police.
Whereas officers have been taking good care of the sufferer, unknown offenders fired on the police, wounding Johnson. The officers returned hearth and the offenders fled, police mentioned.
Although Johnson mentioned he felt he was simply doing what was anticipated of him, coverage Chief Gregory Thomas mentioned the officer’s response when confronted with hazard was superb, particularly contemplating Johnson had solely been a Lynwood officer for roughly a yr. Thomas mentioned reviewing the physique digicam footage impressed him to advocate for Johnson to obtain a police Purple Coronary heart.
“He didn’t assume twice about pushing ahead towards the risk,” Thomas mentioned.
“And even when he was wounded, when different officers — you may hear them — wished to take away him from the hostile space, he repeatedly says, ‘I’m good. I can nonetheless struggle.’”
Johnson was taken to a hospital and handled over the course of a number of days, and he has returned to responsibility.
Tuesday’s Village Board assembly was devoted to honoring Johnson in addition to sending off police Cmdr. Jessie Hernandez, who’s retiring after 21 years with the division as a result of ongoing well being points. Greater than 100 folks overfilled the board room as officers confirmed appreciation for the commander’s dedication to defending the group.
“Please know that you’re solely leaving lively responsibility, not the village of Lynwood,” Mayor Jada Curry advised Hernandez earlier than retiring his badge quantity. “You’ll at all times be household to us.”
Curry and Thomas every expressed bittersweet sentiment over the emotional joint honoring of the officer and commander. However each mentioned they have been grateful for the chance to see united appreciation for police and present the optimistic influences they’ve.
“Let’s face it, legislation enforcement these days, there’s not many pats on the again for what we do,” Thomas mentioned. “Individuals don’t know that there’s many extra Michael Johnsons on the market who haven’t been acknowledged.”
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
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