National Magazine Honors VSP Trooper for Heroic Actions in 2009
October 22, 2009 | Virginia News
Trooper Kurt Johnson Awarded Honorable Mention by PARADE Magazine / IACP Police Officer of Year Program
RICHMOND – On Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, Virginia State Trooper Kurt J. Johnson was presented with a plaque for receiving Honorable Mention in the 2009 PARADE/IACP Police Officer of the Year program. He is one of ten law enforcement officers across the country selected for the Honorable Mention Award in recognition for their extraordinary police work. All of the officers were recognized nationally in the Oct. 4, 2009 edition of PARADE Magazine.
“Trooper Kurt Johnson is incredibly deserving of this recognition and we are honored he has been chosen for this exceptional act of valor on that February night,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he answered a mother’s call for help, ultimately saving a little girl’s life. He is an example of the commitment our troopers make everyday to protect the public in the performance of one’s duty.” On the night of Feb. 6, 2009, along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a young woman was driving south on Route 13 in Accomack Co. with her three small children when her vehicle ran off the road, into a ditch, struck a culvert and flipped over. The impact of the crash caused the car to burst into flames. The woman managed to pull two of her three children to safety. At that moment, Trooper Johnson while on patrol happened to come upon the burning vehicle. The mother screamed to him that her 3 year-old child was trapped inside. Using his portable extinguisher, he attempted to extinguish the fire but the flames were too intense. “I knew if I didn’t get her out then, I wouldn’t be able to,” says Trooper Kurt Johnson, a two and a half year veteran of the Department and father of two. Without regard for his own safety, Trooper Johnson crawled into the twisted, upside down, burning vehicle and searched through the black, smoke-filled passenger compartment until he located the little girl. “When I crawled into the car, all I could see was the white of her eyes,” adds Trooper Johnson. Within seconds of pulling the child to safety, the car was consumed by fire. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment. The rescue occurred on the little girl’s third birthday. Trooper Johnson was also recognized by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police for his lifesaving actions. In August, 2009, he was presented with the VACP/VPCF Award for Lifesaving. The police service awards are presented annually by PARADE and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Established in 1966, the awards recognize specific acts of valor and service above and beyond the call of duty. They also draw attention to the dedicated men and women of our nation’s law enforcement community. PHOTO GALLERY: http://photos.vachiefs.org/Other/VSP-Trooper-Kurt-Johnson/Next entry: Northern Virginia task force reports 13% decrease in gang violence
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