Central Coast police officers honor fallen San Jose officer

Officers from Marina, Carmel, Salinas, Monterey, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, San Benito Sheriff, Hollister Police, Watsonville, Santa Cruz Police and Sheriff’s Departments all went to the SAP Center on Thursday to pay their respects to fallen San Jose Officer Michael Johnson. There were two different meet-up spots, and one group even waited for San Luis Obispo officers to join before heading up to San Jose in a huge show of support.

Many of the officers didn’t know Officer Johnson. But because the law enforcement community is so tight, they said it feels like one of their own was lost. It was especially painful for one Watsonville officer who worked with Officer Johnson several years ago.

“He was very humble,” describes Watsonville Sgt. Antonio Figueroa. “Quiet, but at the same time, very fun to work with.”

Watsonville Police Sergeant Antonio Figueroa worked with Officer Johnson in San Jose for nearly five years. He remembers how he found out about Johnson’s tragic death.

“I got the text that there was an officer down,” Sgt. Figueroa explained, “And that he had been fatally shot and killed. And then knowing who it was, it hits a lot closer to home.”

Sgt. Figueroa was one of hundreds of Central Coast officers that made the emotional journey to San Jose to pay tribute to a brother in blue.

“Obviously we lost one of our brothers,” Commander Roberto Filice said. “We show respect to him, his family and his department. That’s why everybody’s here.”

While law enforcement officers from Monterey and San Benito counties met along Highway 101 near the 156 exit, in Scott’s Valley, Santa Cruz County agencies gathered along Highway 17. Many of them made this exact same trip two years ago when Santa Cruz officers Butch Baker and Elizabeth Butler were killed in the line of duty.

“It brings it all back,” Santa Cruz Deputy Chief Steve Clark said. “We remember when we were at this stage in the game, much like the San Jose Police Department now.”

And they know at the end of the day, regardless of the risks, these officers will continue to serve and protect.

“We’ve responded to the same calls,” Watsonville Police Lt. Saul Gonzalez said, “We’ll continue to respond to the same calls and when an officer falls like this, it’s just a reminder of what we signed up to do.”

Many of the officers that participated in the procession did it on their own. Local communities still had officers on patrol and were fully staffed.

Other departments showed their support by pitching in while the San Jose officers could mourn their comrade. Members of the Morgan Hill police department filled in to patrol San Jose today.