Five years later: Community walks in memory of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson

Nearly 100 people gathered Monday night to honor Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson, five years after he was murdered in the line of duty.

Sergeant Johnson's wife organizes a walk at LaFortune Park every year in his honor.

Half a decade since losing Sergeant Johnson 

Kristi Johnson says it feels like she just lost her husband yesterday, and at the same time, it feels like a lifetime ago.

She said what’s gotten her through is the support of family and friends.

People have not forgotten about Sergeant Johnson and the kind of officer and person he was.

"And while we walk, we talk, and they get to hear things about their dad, and that's always a great feeling," said Kristi Johnson, Sgt Johnson's wife.

Kristie, Johnson's two sons, and many others get together every year on the anniversary of his death by walking together to honor his legacy. 

A legacy left behind

Sergeant Johnson was killed in the line of duty in June of 2020, and during his career, he was a field training officer and was the head of the copper theft division.

LT. Pat Parker, TPD, said, “He actually was the tip of the spear for that, and helped us coordinate all of that, and we put a major dent and actually got the lights back on on the highway. So he is well-known for that. And like I said, as a field training officer, he trained up a bunch of driver officers and brought them in to being good Tulsa police officers. If I could have cloned him, I would have; he was just that good of a guy.”

Lt. Pat Parker says Sergeant Johnson's murder left a huge hole in the department but brought the community and department closer together.

Paying it forward

Kristi says the last five years haven't been easy, but through her journey, she's learned to accept help and pay it forward. 

"Last year, I finally got a scholarship program up and running in his name, that is through the Tulsa Community Foundation, and it is for specifically graduates in East Tulsa," said Kristi.

Justice for Sergeant Johnson

David Ware was sentenced to death for murdering Sergeant Johnson.