Draper police ask for help to honor fallen officer


7 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

DRAPER — It sure is nice seeing Shante Johnson laughing, smiling, and enjoying the company of others.

The past seven months haven't been easy for her after her husband, Draper Police Sgt. Derek Johnson, was shot and killed while on duty Sept. 1, 2013.

"I'm doing OK,” Johnson said. “It's easier when I have a lot of people around me. I love feeling the support and everyone's love, and so it's easier when I'm with a whole bunch of people."

Next month, when her husband's name is added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C., she's hoping her husband's police brotherhood can be there with her and her 7-year-old son.

"This event is going to be a huge, big deal to remember Derek and honor him in a way that is very special, and I need a lot of support up there to help us get through it,” Johnson said.

That’s why Draper Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary members have been doing fundraisers the past few months.

About 30 Draper police officers, their families, and Johnson’s family were planning on going to Washington D.C., and figured they raised enough money to go.

Originally, they needed roughly $17,000 for the trip. However, a major donor recently had to drop out of their offer for financial reasons. That caused the cost to increase to about $28,000.

The Memorial Service is planned for mid-May, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for the F.O.P. auxiliary to raise the rest of the money.

“All of us are living on police officer budgets, and everybody knows that's not very much,” said Amii Willie, the President of Draper’s Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary. “So any extra help we can get, so we can get there and support Shante, would absolutely mean the world to us."

"For us, it's not a matter of should we go. It's a matter of we have to go,” said Draper police officer Mike Elkins, who is also the President of Draper’s Fraternal Order of Police, “it’s just one of those things where we are family, so we have to be there.”

An account* has been set up for donations at any America First Credit Union under the Draper FOP Auxiliary name.


This event is going to be a huge, big deal to remember Derek and honor him in a way that is very special, and I need a lot of support up there to help us get through it.

–Shante Johnson


Officers will also be doing a fundraiser Friday, April 25, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Salsa Leedos restaurant in Riverton acting as waiters to earn tips to go.

Officers say they don't usually ask for help like this, but there's not much time left to raise the money, and they say they want to be there for Shante.

"This is basically going to be another funeral for her,” Willie said, “the first one was awful. The second one, in a completely different state and surroundings she is not familiar with, is going to be awful, too. She needs our support to be there.”

Willie said if anybody has questions, they can email her at draperauxiliary18@gmail.com

“The community support has been incredible,” Johnson said, “they’ve embraced us and supported us in ways I didn’t even know I needed support. They’ve been incredible.”


*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.</http:></http:>

Photos

Related links

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Alex Cabrero

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast