Michael W. Johnson of Bradford, VT, a 16 year veteran of the Vermont State Police, died June 15, 2003 in the line of duty. He was born Deccember 11, 1963, in Newark, N.J. the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson.
In 1970, the family moved from New Jersey to Ascutney, where he received his early schooling. As a sophomore in high school, Mr. Johnson attended Oxbow High School in Bradford before graduating from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans.
Michael attended Norwich University, graduating in 1986 from the University of Scranton, in Scranton, Penn. with a degree in Criminal Justice. During summer vacations of his college years, he served as a Vermont auxiliary state policeman patrolling Lake Champlain. In 1986 he was hired as a Vermont State Police trooper and assigned to the Colchester barracks. He later served in the Lamoille and Killington outposts until 1997, when he earned the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the Bradford Barracks.
An avid basketball player and sports enthusiast, he was a 1,000 Point Scorer in boy's varsity basketball at Bellows Free Academy, and the University of Scranton. He was a Senior Basketball AllStar at the 1982 Alhambra Game between Vermont and New Hampshire, earning Most Valuable Player of the Vermont team. For several years, his team "Dawg Meat" was a regular participant in the Karp Klassic Basketball Tournament in Lebanon, N.H.
He was former boy's basketball coach at Mount Mansfield High School, and Whitcomb High School where his team won the state championship in 1997. Active in the Bradford Youth Sports Program, he also coached the Oxbow boy's seventh grade basketball team, the third and fourth grade girl's basketball team, and local soccer and ski teams. He regularly visited Bradford Elementary School and other local schools to provide demonstrations to faculty and children.
The "Mayor of Bradford" as he was affectionately known, Michael loved serving the youth in local communities. He never missed an opportunity to interact with young people, and only days ago had been selected by Oxbow High School to serve as boy's varsity basketball coach for the coming season. He was a regular performer at dances, weddings and anniversary parties with his disc jockey business, "Magic Mike DJ."
He is survived by his wife, Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, whom he married July 27, 1991, in Jericho; a daughter, Reilly Johnson and two sons, Grady and McKendrick Johnson, all of Bradford; his parents of St. Albans; two sisters, Patricia Smith of Weybridge and Linda Lewis of St. Albans; three brothers, Glenn of St. Albans, Matthew of Burlington, and Daniel of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
A private burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Sawyer Cemetery in Bradford.
FROM THE U S OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL:
Sgt. Michael Johnson was a 16 yr. veteran Vermont State Trooper, serving out of the Bradford, Vt. barracks. On June 15, 2003(Father's Day), Sgt. Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers. State Troopers were chasing a suspect who had fled from a traffic stop on I-91 in Thetford, Vt. After laying down spike strips, Sgt. Johnson parked his car in a nearby crossover between the northbound and southbound lanes of I-91. As the suspect approached, the suspect swerved into the median, through the crossover, striking Sgt. Johnson. The suspect then left his vehicle, and fled on foot through nearby woods. At some point, he enlisted the aid of innocent and unknowing canoists who gave him a ride across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. He was apprehended two days later in Pennsylvania and charged with 2nd degree murder. Sgt. Michael Johnson was the husband of Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, the father of 2 sons and 1 daughter, and the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson, all of whom survive him. The entire state of Vermont was deeply affected by Michael's death as he was a very well-known, respected, admired, and loved gentle man. Our loss is most certainly Heaven's gain.
In 1970, the family moved from New Jersey to Ascutney, where he received his early schooling. As a sophomore in high school, Mr. Johnson attended Oxbow High School in Bradford before graduating from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans.
Michael attended Norwich University, graduating in 1986 from the University of Scranton, in Scranton, Penn. with a degree in Criminal Justice. During summer vacations of his college years, he served as a Vermont auxiliary state policeman patrolling Lake Champlain. In 1986 he was hired as a Vermont State Police trooper and assigned to the Colchester barracks. He later served in the Lamoille and Killington outposts until 1997, when he earned the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the Bradford Barracks.
An avid basketball player and sports enthusiast, he was a 1,000 Point Scorer in boy's varsity basketball at Bellows Free Academy, and the University of Scranton. He was a Senior Basketball AllStar at the 1982 Alhambra Game between Vermont and New Hampshire, earning Most Valuable Player of the Vermont team. For several years, his team "Dawg Meat" was a regular participant in the Karp Klassic Basketball Tournament in Lebanon, N.H.
He was former boy's basketball coach at Mount Mansfield High School, and Whitcomb High School where his team won the state championship in 1997. Active in the Bradford Youth Sports Program, he also coached the Oxbow boy's seventh grade basketball team, the third and fourth grade girl's basketball team, and local soccer and ski teams. He regularly visited Bradford Elementary School and other local schools to provide demonstrations to faculty and children.
The "Mayor of Bradford" as he was affectionately known, Michael loved serving the youth in local communities. He never missed an opportunity to interact with young people, and only days ago had been selected by Oxbow High School to serve as boy's varsity basketball coach for the coming season. He was a regular performer at dances, weddings and anniversary parties with his disc jockey business, "Magic Mike DJ."
He is survived by his wife, Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, whom he married July 27, 1991, in Jericho; a daughter, Reilly Johnson and two sons, Grady and McKendrick Johnson, all of Bradford; his parents of St. Albans; two sisters, Patricia Smith of Weybridge and Linda Lewis of St. Albans; three brothers, Glenn of St. Albans, Matthew of Burlington, and Daniel of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
A private burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Sawyer Cemetery in Bradford.
FROM THE U S OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL:
Sgt. Michael Johnson was a 16 yr. veteran Vermont State Trooper, serving out of the Bradford, Vt. barracks. On June 15, 2003(Father's Day), Sgt. Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers. State Troopers were chasing a suspect who had fled from a traffic stop on I-91 in Thetford, Vt. After laying down spike strips, Sgt. Johnson parked his car in a nearby crossover between the northbound and southbound lanes of I-91. As the suspect approached, the suspect swerved into the median, through the crossover, striking Sgt. Johnson. The suspect then left his vehicle, and fled on foot through nearby woods. At some point, he enlisted the aid of innocent and unknowing canoists who gave him a ride across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. He was apprehended two days later in Pennsylvania and charged with 2nd degree murder. Sgt. Michael Johnson was the husband of Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, the father of 2 sons and 1 daughter, and the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson, all of whom survive him. The entire state of Vermont was deeply affected by Michael's death as he was a very well-known, respected, admired, and loved gentle man. Our loss is most certainly Heaven's gain.
Michael W. Johnson of Bradford, VT, a 16 year veteran of the Vermont State Police, died June 15, 2003 in the line of duty. He was born Deccember 11, 1963, in Newark, N.J. the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson.
In 1970, the family moved from New Jersey to Ascutney, where he received his early schooling. As a sophomore in high school, Mr. Johnson attended Oxbow High School in Bradford before graduating from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans.
Michael attended Norwich University, graduating in 1986 from the University of Scranton, in Scranton, Penn. with a degree in Criminal Justice. During summer vacations of his college years, he served as a Vermont auxiliary state policeman patrolling Lake Champlain. In 1986 he was hired as a Vermont State Police trooper and assigned to the Colchester barracks. He later served in the Lamoille and Killington outposts until 1997, when he earned the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the Bradford Barracks.
An avid basketball player and sports enthusiast, he was a 1,000 Point Scorer in boy's varsity basketball at Bellows Free Academy, and the University of Scranton. He was a Senior Basketball AllStar at the 1982 Alhambra Game between Vermont and New Hampshire, earning Most Valuable Player of the Vermont team. For several years, his team "Dawg Meat" was a regular participant in the Karp Klassic Basketball Tournament in Lebanon, N.H.
He was former boy's basketball coach at Mount Mansfield High School, and Whitcomb High School where his team won the state championship in 1997. Active in the Bradford Youth Sports Program, he also coached the Oxbow boy's seventh grade basketball team, the third and fourth grade girl's basketball team, and local soccer and ski teams. He regularly visited Bradford Elementary School and other local schools to provide demonstrations to faculty and children.
The "Mayor of Bradford" as he was affectionately known, Michael loved serving the youth in local communities. He never missed an opportunity to interact with young people, and only days ago had been selected by Oxbow High School to serve as boy's varsity basketball coach for the coming season. He was a regular performer at dances, weddings and anniversary parties with his disc jockey business, "Magic Mike DJ."
He is survived by his wife, Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, whom he married July 27, 1991, in Jericho; a daughter, Reilly Johnson and two sons, Grady and McKendrick Johnson, all of Bradford; his parents of St. Albans; two sisters, Patricia Smith of Weybridge and Linda Lewis of St. Albans; three brothers, Glenn of St. Albans, Matthew of Burlington, and Daniel of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
A private burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Sawyer Cemetery in Bradford.
FROM THE U S OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL:
Sgt. Michael Johnson was a 16 yr. veteran Vermont State Trooper, serving out of the Bradford, Vt. barracks. On June 15, 2003(Father's Day), Sgt. Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers. State Troopers were chasing a suspect who had fled from a traffic stop on I-91 in Thetford, Vt. After laying down spike strips, Sgt. Johnson parked his car in a nearby crossover between the northbound and southbound lanes of I-91. As the suspect approached, the suspect swerved into the median, through the crossover, striking Sgt. Johnson. The suspect then left his vehicle, and fled on foot through nearby woods. At some point, he enlisted the aid of innocent and unknowing canoists who gave him a ride across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. He was apprehended two days later in Pennsylvania and charged with 2nd degree murder. Sgt. Michael Johnson was the husband of Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, the father of 2 sons and 1 daughter, and the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson, all of whom survive him. The entire state of Vermont was deeply affected by Michael's death as he was a very well-known, respected, admired, and loved gentle man. Our loss is most certainly Heaven's gain.
In 1970, the family moved from New Jersey to Ascutney, where he received his early schooling. As a sophomore in high school, Mr. Johnson attended Oxbow High School in Bradford before graduating from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans.
Michael attended Norwich University, graduating in 1986 from the University of Scranton, in Scranton, Penn. with a degree in Criminal Justice. During summer vacations of his college years, he served as a Vermont auxiliary state policeman patrolling Lake Champlain. In 1986 he was hired as a Vermont State Police trooper and assigned to the Colchester barracks. He later served in the Lamoille and Killington outposts until 1997, when he earned the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the Bradford Barracks.
An avid basketball player and sports enthusiast, he was a 1,000 Point Scorer in boy's varsity basketball at Bellows Free Academy, and the University of Scranton. He was a Senior Basketball AllStar at the 1982 Alhambra Game between Vermont and New Hampshire, earning Most Valuable Player of the Vermont team. For several years, his team "Dawg Meat" was a regular participant in the Karp Klassic Basketball Tournament in Lebanon, N.H.
He was former boy's basketball coach at Mount Mansfield High School, and Whitcomb High School where his team won the state championship in 1997. Active in the Bradford Youth Sports Program, he also coached the Oxbow boy's seventh grade basketball team, the third and fourth grade girl's basketball team, and local soccer and ski teams. He regularly visited Bradford Elementary School and other local schools to provide demonstrations to faculty and children.
The "Mayor of Bradford" as he was affectionately known, Michael loved serving the youth in local communities. He never missed an opportunity to interact with young people, and only days ago had been selected by Oxbow High School to serve as boy's varsity basketball coach for the coming season. He was a regular performer at dances, weddings and anniversary parties with his disc jockey business, "Magic Mike DJ."
He is survived by his wife, Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, whom he married July 27, 1991, in Jericho; a daughter, Reilly Johnson and two sons, Grady and McKendrick Johnson, all of Bradford; his parents of St. Albans; two sisters, Patricia Smith of Weybridge and Linda Lewis of St. Albans; three brothers, Glenn of St. Albans, Matthew of Burlington, and Daniel of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
A private burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Sawyer Cemetery in Bradford.
FROM THE U S OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL:
Sgt. Michael Johnson was a 16 yr. veteran Vermont State Trooper, serving out of the Bradford, Vt. barracks. On June 15, 2003(Father's Day), Sgt. Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers. State Troopers were chasing a suspect who had fled from a traffic stop on I-91 in Thetford, Vt. After laying down spike strips, Sgt. Johnson parked his car in a nearby crossover between the northbound and southbound lanes of I-91. As the suspect approached, the suspect swerved into the median, through the crossover, striking Sgt. Johnson. The suspect then left his vehicle, and fled on foot through nearby woods. At some point, he enlisted the aid of innocent and unknowing canoists who gave him a ride across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. He was apprehended two days later in Pennsylvania and charged with 2nd degree murder. Sgt. Michael Johnson was the husband of Kerrie (Driscoll) Johnson, the father of 2 sons and 1 daughter, and the son of Walter and Marilyn (Griffith) Johnson, all of whom survive him. The entire state of Vermont was deeply affected by Michael's death as he was a very well-known, respected, admired, and loved gentle man. Our loss is most certainly Heaven's gain.
