Retired Homewood Officer Orlandera Johnson
Homewood Police Department
Retired lawman killed in auto crash had been popular Homewood officer
By Carol Robinson -- The Birmingham News
January 05, 2010, 1:40PM
Homewood police are mourning the loss of a veteran officer killed this morning in a traffic accident in Bessemer.
Retired Officer Orlandera Johnson, 64, was traveling southbound on Interstate 20/59 just before 8 a.m. when a car crossed the median and struck him, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.
Johnson was pronounced dead on the scene.
There were three cars involved in the crash, authorities said. A woman and a child in the car that struck Johnson both were injured and taken to area hospitals. The motorist in a third vehicle wasn't injured.
Johnson worked for the Homewood Police Department from 1979 to 2008, when he retired after 29 years of service.
Before he joined the Homewood force, Johnson worked for the Roosevelt City Police Department. said Homewood police spokesman Sgt. Andrew Didcoct.
"O.J., as he was know by everyone, was very popular and probably the most well-known Homewood officer," Didcoct said. "People were always asking, 'How is O.J.' or 'I have known O.J. for years, tell him I said hello.' Everyone loved O.J. and he will be missed."
More from the Birmingham News
God rest his soul and comfort his family. He will be missed.
Two Viewings:
Saturday, January 9 : 12pm - 5pm
2601 9th Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020-4035
(205) 425-2414
Saturday, January 9 : 6pm - 8pm
7313 Arabia Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35224-1037
(205) 787-1398
Funeral:
Sunday, January 10 - 1:30pm
Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church
2301 Avenue E
Birmingham, AL 35218-1830
(205) 786-5378
posted by DAVE911 @ 4:53:00 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
RIP OJ. I can remember playing basketball "tournaments" in your backyard for a chance to win a six pack of Pepsi Cola. You gave us prizes whether we won/lost a game. As children growing up we looked to you as our hero. It is truly an understatement when I say that you will be missed. The Shelley family has your family in our prayers. To Rashad, keep your head up and find comfort through prayer and your trust in the Lord.
Deepest Sympathy,
Aulundria Grace
Wow, I am the Mother-in-law of the woman that crossed the median and hit Mr. Johnson. We as a family are so incredibly sorry, and sickened by this horrible accident. We are sorry for the loss of such a fine man, and pray for the families. Please pass this message on to the family, and let them know that if there was some way we could go back to yesterday morning, we would. May God Bless you.
This is still very hard for my nephew (Jakesi) & our Family it feels just like yesterday when we receive the bad news... It is like a very bad dream that you want to wake up from. We miss O.J .SO VERY much. He will always be in our prayers and our hearts.
love,
The Murphy Family
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