Sgt. Darrell Johnson, 42, was killed while off duty on 10/24/08 in a head on car crash at 12:20 a.m. in Douglas County, Georgia. Police received a 911 call from a driver who saw a Ford Focus “all over the road.” who suspected a drunken driver. That motorist stayed behind the Focus and directed a deputy to its location and when the deputy tried to stop the Focus, it took off. Douglas County Sheriff Deputies chased the Focus for about seven miles which was driven by Brent Jacobs, 21, of Douglasville. Jacobs crossed the center line on Campbellton Road in South Fulton and crashed head-on into Sgt. Darrell Johnson. Both were killed upon impact. Johnson who lived in College Park and was driving his own car, a white Ford Crown Victoria, was on his way home for a couple of hours sleep before he went back to work at the Atlanta Police Department after working his second job doing security for a Brookhaven neighborhood. Sgt. Johnson had been with the Atlanta Police Department for 18 years. He worked red dog (tactical unit), was a dog handler and a hostage negotiator and also worked in internal affairs. Sgt. Johnson is survived by his wife Keisha and his children, Darrel Junior, Derrick, Isaiah and Anecia.
Officer Bradley Alan Moody
October 7, 2008 – Richmond, California – Age 29
Officer Bradley Moody, 29, was headed north on a rain-slicked Richmond road on Marina Bay Parkway at 8:05 a.m. on 10/4/08. Officer Moody was in route to an officer’s call for more help on a report of an assault near the corner of 18th Street and Gaynor Avenue which was about two miles away from the police station. Officer Moody lost control of his cruiser at a bend in the road near railroad tracks and between Regatta Boulevard and Jetty Drive. There were some skid marks prior to the cruiser slamming broadside into the light pole on the passenger side which was in a raised center island. The light pole went half way through the vehicle causing massive head injuries to Moody. The cruiser jumped the curb before it wrapped around the pole, hitting it sideways. An off-duty firefighter came upon the wreck on Marina Way South, between Meeker Avenue and Regatta, and called for help. Richmond police officers, firefighters and several Pacific Gas and Electric Co. employees kept Moody alive until he could be transported to John Muir Medical Center. Moody was flown by helicopter to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where doctors said he had suffered a catastrophic brain injury and they would not be able to save him. He was declared brain dead right after the accident and was kept on life support to allow family members and co-workers to say good bye. Moody had chosen to be an organ donor and was also kept on life support for an organ donation.
