Correctional Officer Ronald Johnson was killed by two inmates who were attempting to escape from the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.
The two inmates were taken into custody on the prison grounds shortly before 11:00 am. Officer Johnson was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Officer Johnson had served with the South Dakota Department of Corrections for 23 years. He is survived by his wife.
Bio provided by Officer Down Memorial Page
Obituary
Ronald "RJ" Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD, died April 12, 2011, in Sioux Falls, SD following injuries sustained while on duty at the SD State Penitentiary.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 Saturday at the Rushmore Room of the Ramkota Inn, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation begins at 8:00 am, Friday, and will continue throughout the day, ending at 9:00 Friday evening, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue.
Ronald E. Johnson was born April 12, 1948, in Flandreau, SD. Following his graduation from Egan High School, Ron attended SDSU.
On June 29, 1979, he was united in marriage to Lynette K. Vanderloo. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls. RJ worked at Litton Industries, and for a period of time, sold insurance. In July 1987, he began working at the SD State Penitentiary and currently held the position of a Senior Correctional Officer.
RJ was a fan of the Minnesota Gophers, and enjoyed following all sports. Active in the past with Litton golf tournaments, RJ won a number of trophies and awards. He was also active on bowling leagues. He looked forward to summer months when he could get out to the lake. He enjoyed spending time at Oakwood Lake as well as Lake Okoboji, where his favorite pastime was boating and spending time out on the dock. In his free time, he enjoyed old classic cars and at one time was a proud owner of a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. He also loved music. Enjoying a full range of tunes, he particularly liked attending a Il Divo concert in Chicago.
Family was important to RJ. He treasured time spent with Lynette, the kids and his grandkids. He liked summertime when he could have a fire going in the backyard fire pit. The quintessential grandpa, he loved bragging about his grandkids.
RJ was and respected by everyone at the Penitentiary; employees and inmates alike. He was a kind man who got along with everyone. Caring, loyal and sincere, he was blessed with a patient and laid-back spirit. RJ's memory will be forever cherished.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lynette of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Jesse Johnson (Jenn), Yankton, SD; daughter, Toni "Missy" (Derrick) Schafer, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Drake, Teegan, Ashlen, Ayleah, Braxton, and Treyton; brothers, Douglas Johnson and Glenn Johnson of Sioux Falls; his mother, Doris, Sioux Falls, SD; aunts, Evelyn Armijo, Huntington Beach, CA, and Bernice Hermanson, Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Johnson.
The two inmates were taken into custody on the prison grounds shortly before 11:00 am. Officer Johnson was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Officer Johnson had served with the South Dakota Department of Corrections for 23 years. He is survived by his wife.
Bio provided by Officer Down Memorial Page
Obituary
Ronald "RJ" Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD, died April 12, 2011, in Sioux Falls, SD following injuries sustained while on duty at the SD State Penitentiary.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 Saturday at the Rushmore Room of the Ramkota Inn, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation begins at 8:00 am, Friday, and will continue throughout the day, ending at 9:00 Friday evening, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue.
Ronald E. Johnson was born April 12, 1948, in Flandreau, SD. Following his graduation from Egan High School, Ron attended SDSU.
On June 29, 1979, he was united in marriage to Lynette K. Vanderloo. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls. RJ worked at Litton Industries, and for a period of time, sold insurance. In July 1987, he began working at the SD State Penitentiary and currently held the position of a Senior Correctional Officer.
RJ was a fan of the Minnesota Gophers, and enjoyed following all sports. Active in the past with Litton golf tournaments, RJ won a number of trophies and awards. He was also active on bowling leagues. He looked forward to summer months when he could get out to the lake. He enjoyed spending time at Oakwood Lake as well as Lake Okoboji, where his favorite pastime was boating and spending time out on the dock. In his free time, he enjoyed old classic cars and at one time was a proud owner of a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. He also loved music. Enjoying a full range of tunes, he particularly liked attending a Il Divo concert in Chicago.
Family was important to RJ. He treasured time spent with Lynette, the kids and his grandkids. He liked summertime when he could have a fire going in the backyard fire pit. The quintessential grandpa, he loved bragging about his grandkids.
RJ was and respected by everyone at the Penitentiary; employees and inmates alike. He was a kind man who got along with everyone. Caring, loyal and sincere, he was blessed with a patient and laid-back spirit. RJ's memory will be forever cherished.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lynette of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Jesse Johnson (Jenn), Yankton, SD; daughter, Toni "Missy" (Derrick) Schafer, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Drake, Teegan, Ashlen, Ayleah, Braxton, and Treyton; brothers, Douglas Johnson and Glenn Johnson of Sioux Falls; his mother, Doris, Sioux Falls, SD; aunts, Evelyn Armijo, Huntington Beach, CA, and Bernice Hermanson, Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Johnson.
Correctional Officer Ronald Johnson was killed by two inmates who were attempting to escape from the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.
The two inmates were taken into custody on the prison grounds shortly before 11:00 am. Officer Johnson was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Officer Johnson had served with the South Dakota Department of Corrections for 23 years. He is survived by his wife.
Bio provided by Officer Down Memorial Page
Obituary
Ronald "RJ" Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD, died April 12, 2011, in Sioux Falls, SD following injuries sustained while on duty at the SD State Penitentiary.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 Saturday at the Rushmore Room of the Ramkota Inn, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation begins at 8:00 am, Friday, and will continue throughout the day, ending at 9:00 Friday evening, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue.
Ronald E. Johnson was born April 12, 1948, in Flandreau, SD. Following his graduation from Egan High School, Ron attended SDSU.
On June 29, 1979, he was united in marriage to Lynette K. Vanderloo. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls. RJ worked at Litton Industries, and for a period of time, sold insurance. In July 1987, he began working at the SD State Penitentiary and currently held the position of a Senior Correctional Officer.
RJ was a fan of the Minnesota Gophers, and enjoyed following all sports. Active in the past with Litton golf tournaments, RJ won a number of trophies and awards. He was also active on bowling leagues. He looked forward to summer months when he could get out to the lake. He enjoyed spending time at Oakwood Lake as well as Lake Okoboji, where his favorite pastime was boating and spending time out on the dock. In his free time, he enjoyed old classic cars and at one time was a proud owner of a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. He also loved music. Enjoying a full range of tunes, he particularly liked attending a Il Divo concert in Chicago.
Family was important to RJ. He treasured time spent with Lynette, the kids and his grandkids. He liked summertime when he could have a fire going in the backyard fire pit. The quintessential grandpa, he loved bragging about his grandkids.
RJ was and respected by everyone at the Penitentiary; employees and inmates alike. He was a kind man who got along with everyone. Caring, loyal and sincere, he was blessed with a patient and laid-back spirit. RJ's memory will be forever cherished.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lynette of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Jesse Johnson (Jenn), Yankton, SD; daughter, Toni "Missy" (Derrick) Schafer, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Drake, Teegan, Ashlen, Ayleah, Braxton, and Treyton; brothers, Douglas Johnson and Glenn Johnson of Sioux Falls; his mother, Doris, Sioux Falls, SD; aunts, Evelyn Armijo, Huntington Beach, CA, and Bernice Hermanson, Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Johnson.
The two inmates were taken into custody on the prison grounds shortly before 11:00 am. Officer Johnson was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Officer Johnson had served with the South Dakota Department of Corrections for 23 years. He is survived by his wife.
Bio provided by Officer Down Memorial Page
Obituary
Ronald "RJ" Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD, died April 12, 2011, in Sioux Falls, SD following injuries sustained while on duty at the SD State Penitentiary.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 Saturday at the Rushmore Room of the Ramkota Inn, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation begins at 8:00 am, Friday, and will continue throughout the day, ending at 9:00 Friday evening, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue.
Ronald E. Johnson was born April 12, 1948, in Flandreau, SD. Following his graduation from Egan High School, Ron attended SDSU.
On June 29, 1979, he was united in marriage to Lynette K. Vanderloo. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls. RJ worked at Litton Industries, and for a period of time, sold insurance. In July 1987, he began working at the SD State Penitentiary and currently held the position of a Senior Correctional Officer.
RJ was a fan of the Minnesota Gophers, and enjoyed following all sports. Active in the past with Litton golf tournaments, RJ won a number of trophies and awards. He was also active on bowling leagues. He looked forward to summer months when he could get out to the lake. He enjoyed spending time at Oakwood Lake as well as Lake Okoboji, where his favorite pastime was boating and spending time out on the dock. In his free time, he enjoyed old classic cars and at one time was a proud owner of a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. He also loved music. Enjoying a full range of tunes, he particularly liked attending a Il Divo concert in Chicago.
Family was important to RJ. He treasured time spent with Lynette, the kids and his grandkids. He liked summertime when he could have a fire going in the backyard fire pit. The quintessential grandpa, he loved bragging about his grandkids.
RJ was and respected by everyone at the Penitentiary; employees and inmates alike. He was a kind man who got along with everyone. Caring, loyal and sincere, he was blessed with a patient and laid-back spirit. RJ's memory will be forever cherished.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lynette of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Jesse Johnson (Jenn), Yankton, SD; daughter, Toni "Missy" (Derrick) Schafer, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Drake, Teegan, Ashlen, Ayleah, Braxton, and Treyton; brothers, Douglas Johnson and Glenn Johnson of Sioux Falls; his mother, Doris, Sioux Falls, SD; aunts, Evelyn Armijo, Huntington Beach, CA, and Bernice Hermanson, Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Johnson.
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