Tulsa Remembers Sgt. Craig Johnson Three Years After His Death

Friday, June 30, 2023, marks three years since Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson died. He was shot and killed following a traffic stop in 2020.

Co-workers describe Johnson with words such as courage, bravery and dedication. Lt. Pat Harker, who supervised Johnson at the Tulsa Police Department, was also one of his closest friends, and he delivered part of the eulogy at Johnson's funeral.

Harker recalled working with Johnson when the sergeant was promoted. "I had the pleasure of being one of his training officers when he was promoted. We probably went to lunch just about every day together and we shared jokes and laughed," he said.

Harker described Johnson as a valuable asset to the department. "He was just a wonderful person. A great investigator, tenacious, fantastic field training officer. He trained up a lot of young Tulsa police officers along the way," Harker said.

Johnson's funeral drew thousands of people, including fellow law enforcement officers, community members, family and friends. The Tulsa Police Department says his death highlighted the city's sense of community.

Lt. Bryan Bryden, another close friend and colleague of Johnson's, served as a pallbearer. He said the service was unlike any he had been part of, and while it was heartbreaking throughout, it was moving to see the city effectively shut down as people lined the roadways to show support.

Bryden also traveled to Washington, D.C., to honor Johnson at the National Police Memorial. "When his name was read a couple years ago on the memorial, I went to DC and went down to the law enforcement memorial and got rubbings of his name on the wall," he said.

Johnson was a 15-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department. The department says it will keep honoring his life and legacy as another year passes.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a statement marking the anniversary. "There is not a day that goes by where I do not think about Sergeant Craig Johnson, his service, and the sacrifice he made for Tulsa," Bynum said. He said that Johnson's memory, and the bravery of Officer Aurash Zarkeshan in that moment, remind him of the dangers Tulsa police officers face when they come to work.

Bynum added that Oklahomans owe Johnson a deep debt of gratitude because of his sacrifice and the state legislation that followed. He said Johnson's commitment to protecting the community "should serve as a timeless reminder of the selflessness of the law enforcement profession."