Central Coast police departments show support for San Jose officer

Police officers across the state are in mourning after a fellow officer was gunned down Tuesday night in San Jose. Officers were called to the home of 57-year-old Scott Dunham. Police said Dunham opened fire from his home, shooting and killing Officer Michael Johnson.

Hours later, Dunham was found dead on the balcony of his home. Police said he was shot at least once. It’s not clear if the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

“This has been San Jose’s darkest hour. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen officer,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said.

Johnson was a 14-year veteran of the force. As a way to remember him, the Heroes Memorial Foundation is asking all citizens to turn on a blue light on their porches in his honor.

The officer’s death hit close to home for law enforcement across the Central Coast as well. NewsChannel 5 spoke Tuesday talked with officers from several departments who have ties to San Jose police.

Santa Cruz Police said Deputy Chief Steve Clark made a personal phone call to San Jose police offering the department’s support. Johnson’s death hit close to home for Santa Cruz officers, who lost two of their own in the line of duty just two years ago. NewsChannel 5 also spoke with other agencies on the Central Coast that were affected by Johnson’s death.

“I received a text message from some of my friends that work for the San Jose Police Department. Obviously, I was taken aback by the terrible news,” Monterey Police Assistant Chief Dave Hober said.

Hober said he previously worked for San Jose PD and had met Johnson only in passing. But said he didn’t have to know him personally to feel the pain of losing a fellow officer.

“Clearly our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Michael Johnson. But it really affects the police community as a whole anytime that something like this happens,” Hober said.

Monterey Police and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office flew their flags at half-staff on Tuesday. Almost all law enforcement officers on the Central Coast wore black bands over their badges. All signs of solidarity and understanding of what the job means.

“We talk about taking care of each other and we talk about making sure that we’re being careful when we’re responding to incidents of any type,” Hober said.

Immediately after word of Johnson’s death, police departments and officers along the Central Coast took to social media to show their support for the fallen officer.

Hollister Police Chief Dave Westrick posted: “Officer Johnson lost his life, serving and protecting the people of San Jose. He had family, friends and fellow co-workers that loved him and cared for him. One less guardian of justice because someone was having a bad day. How selfish and senseless.”

Marina Police Commander Bob Nolan said his department’s Facebook post is one way to honor Johnson, in addition to the black bands.

“It’s very tough because we hate to pull them out. We usually keep them in our locker hoping never to have to use them but inevitably we do,” Nolan said.

NewsChannel 5 is told that departments will wear black bands across their badges until Johnson’s memorial ceremony is complete. There’s no word on when those services will be held. Several Central Coast police departments said they plan to have officers attend Johnson’s services.