Joseph Johnson

Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson passed away on April 15, 2023 due to a fatal gunshot wound sustained while conducting a traffic stop.

Johnson had served with the Nyssa Police Department for almost five years as a reserve officer, meaning he volunteered on his own time to serve in the police force. Concurrently, he served with the Oregon Department of Corrections for 15 years, and TFP Therapeutic Services as Training Coordinator and Mental Health Counselor for 6 years. Johnson began his career as a correctional officer at Snake River Correctional Institution in 2007, and became a behavioral health specialist in 2022. Johnson also taught criminal justice and psychology courses at Treasure Valley Community College as an adjunct instructor, as well as volunteered as a firefighter and served as a private security officer and therapeutic counselor within his community.

Johnson was responding to a report of a violent man damaging property at a home and threatening occupants. During this response, he saw the suspect driving away and conducted a traffic stop. The subject immediately exited his car and opened fire, fatally wounding Reserve Corporal Johnson before he had a chance to return fire.

Johnson is remembered by all who knew and loved him as kind, caring, and a pillar of devotion to his community. He took on many roles in his community to ensure that it was the best it could possibly be, and was always there to help anyone in need.

Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson is survived by his wife, Linda, and two children.