End of Watch:
September 1, 2013
Age: 32
Draper City Police Department
Homicide: Shooting
Sergeant Derek R. Johnson was shot and killed while on uniformed patrol in the early morning hours of September 1, 2013.
At about 6:00 a.m., Sergeant Derek R. Johnson encountered a disabled car with two occupants at 13200 South and Fort Street in Draper. As he stopped, the suspect ambushed Sergeant Johnson and fired multiple rounds at him. Sergeant Johnson was struck once and managed to accelerate his patrol vehicle away from the scene. Sergeant Johnson attempted to call for help on his radio, but eventually lost consciousness and lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a tree in an open field.
Officers responded to the call for help and located Sergeant Johnson’s crashed vehicle. Officers forced his car door open and pulled him from the car. Officers and paramedics attempted CPR; however, he succumbed to his wounds. After shooting Sergeant Johnson, the suspect shot his female passenger and then himself. The couple survived and were charged with his murder. The suspect later pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. His female companion pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice charges.
Sergeant Johnson was married and the father of a six-year-old son. He served with the Draper Police Department for nine years. He is the first Draper City officer to die in the line of duty. Sergeant Johnson is buried in Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
The bronze memorial name plaque of Sergeant Derek R. Johnson is sponsored by the Draper Police Department.