Funeral services were announced today for the Alabama deputy who was killed last week in the line of duty.
Bibb County Deputy Brad Johnson, 32, was shot to death, and another deputy wounded, six days ago when they were chasing a convicted felon in a stolen vehicle, authorities have said.
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The suspect, 26-year-old Austin Patrick Hall, allegedly opened fire on them. Johnson died the following day, and Poole is recovering at home.
“Brad was a hero, and he is going to get that honor as a hero,’’ said Chris Heisler, president and found of The Honor Network.
“It’s men and women around the nation who protect our citizens, our community, from people (like the suspect),’’ Heisler said.
“Here is a man that was out on the streets endangering the people of this community and unfortunately it took one of our heroes away from us.”
“It’s not gun control, it’s criminal control,’’ Heisler said. “No matter what laws you put on the books, criminals are not going to obey the laws.”
Johnson’s visitation and funeral will be held Friday at the University of Montevallo in the student activity center on College Drive.
Public visitation will be held from at 9 until 11 a.m. The funeral will begin at noon, followed by a procession from the university to Centreville.
A private burial will be held after the procession.
The United States Honor Flag arrived in Centreville Monday, and will remain with Johnson throughout the funeral.
The United States Honor Flag is one American flag that has traveled millions of miles since 9/11. The United States Honor Flag has traveled to the battlefields of Iraq, Afghanistan, traveled aboard the last space shuttle launch in 2011, and has honored thousands of American Heroes in Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Heisler said.
Johnson, a father of two daughters, was pronounced dead 3:18 p.m. Thursday, the day after he and another deputy, 30-year-old Christopher Poole, were shot during a police chase in Bibb County.
Johnson had served with the sheriff’s office just over seven years.
A massive manhunt followed the shooting until Thursday morning when the suspect was arrested.
The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task and other law enforcement officers found Hall hiding in a tent outside a mobile home in Bibb County, at which point he yelled that he was not armed and was taken into custody without further incident.
Hall, who has been arrested on at least 46 charges since he was 17, is being held without bond on the Shelby County Jail. He is charged with three counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder.
Johnson had served with the sheriff’s office just over seven years.
Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade spoke at a press conference Tuesday where he talked about Johnson’s K-9, a 9-year-old German Shepherd who had been Johnson’s longtime partner and lived with Johnson’s family.
“Bodie is being cared for. He’s around people he knows, people he trusts,’’ Wade said. “I’ve never seen a dog grieve. It’s been heartbreaking. He’s no longer himself. I think we’re going to allow him to retire. "
Wade said it’s been a difficult time for the sheriff’s office.
“It’s been a tough few days for this entire family,’’ he said. “All my guys are emotionally, physically worn out.”
Wade said law enforcement officers from around the state are helping Bibb County answer calls for service. He said he told his deputies to go home and get rest, but they declined, saying they wanted to continue to work.
“That’s how we honor Brad, we keep up the fight’'’ Wade said his deputies have told him.
The sheriff called Johnson a hero, both in life and in death. Johnson was an organ donor.
“As a last service to his community he was able to help people, continue to save lives,’’ Wade said. “There’s someone out there now with the heart of a hero beating in their chest.”
Wade thanked the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office for helping with patrol, and the Shelby County Jail for “housing this animal for us until we can get him put down.”
Asked how he was doing, Wade said, “I’m good. I’m mad. I’m hurt. Now’s not the time. We’ve got to take care of Brad. We’ll grieve later.”
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