Man, woman involved in Draper officer shooting identified


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DRAPER — Police have released the names of the two people connected with the fatal weekend shooting of a Draper police sergeant.

Timothy Troy Walker, 35, the alleged shooter, and Traci Lee Vaillancourt, 34, both remained in critical condition Tuesday at Intermountain Medical Center, police said.

Both have relatively minor criminal histories, according to state court records. Walker was convicted of misdemeanor disorderly conduct in 2000.

Vaillancourt was convicted of felony theft in 2004 and sentenced to probation and community service. She currently has a shoplifting charge, a misdemeanor, pending in South Jordan Justice Court.

Both are listed in a case involving the guardianship of a minor child. Walker's last listed address was in Sandy, not far from the scene of the fatal shooting. Vaillancourt's last listed address in court documents was in Murray. Investigators believe, however, the couple had been homeless and were living out of a silver Volvo.

As of Tuesday, neither person was under arrest. But Unified police officers and detectives, who are in charge of the shooting investigation, were stationed at the hospital around the clock. Investigators had been unable to interview them as of late Tuesday afternoon.

Because police haven't been able to interview the suspects, a community in mourning is left to wait for answers about Sgt. Johnson's death.

"I do hope that they survive so that we can find out what happened and they're brought to the full measure of justice," said Draper resident Hollie Pollick.

After he was shot Johnson crashed his patrol car in a field just south of Dan Smith's home. Smith hung ribbons on his fence in honor of the fallen officer.

"There's no words that can explain it and make it ok," Smith said. "It obviously tugs at your heartstrings and you want to do something to show that it wasn't in vain."

Johnson's brother, who declined to be interviewed, said he's been visiting the site twice a day.

Funeral services for Draper Police Sgt. Derek Johnson will be held Friday at 11 a.m. and have been moved to the Maverik Center in West Valley City at 3200 South Decker Lake Drive (2200 South). A public viewing will be held Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. also at the Maverik Center.

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The interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 South).

"The streets of Draper City were made safer by Sgt. Derek Johnson who loved his job as a police officer for the Draper City Police Department," Johnson's family noted in his obituary. "Understanding the risk, but wanting to protect he gave his life while on duty Sept. 1, 2013, at the age of 32."

The Alta High School graduate married his middle school sweetheart, Shante Sidwell, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 2000. Johnson is survived by his wife and son, his 6-year-old "little buddy," Bensen.

"He was the recipient of many awards, including Life Saving Award, Distinguished Service Award, and was the 2012 Community Policing Officer of the Year. With a good nature, a sense of humor that could light up any room, attention to detail and the ability to make anyone his friend. He made a difference. He loved his family, hunting, running, hiking and giving service. He was always up for a good challenge," family members wrote.

Ali Fenlon said she briefly met Sgt. Johnson when she toured the Draper Police Department with a group of boy scouts this past year.

"He took the time to talk to them and shake their hands and it had a lasting impact on those boys' lives, I think," Fenlon said.

Johnson, 32, had driven up on a Volvo parked in an unusual manner at 13200 S. Fort St. shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday. Before he even got out of his vehicle, he was shot multiple times. The first contact he had with police dispatchers was an unintelligible call he made after he was shot.

He drove a short distance before crashing into a tree.


I do hope that they survive so that we can find out what happened and they're brought to the full measure of justice

–Draper resident Hollie Pollick.


Johnson was pronounced dead Sunday at a local hospital after being pulled from his mangled police car. Officers responding to the scene said they also found Walker and Vaillancourt in critical conditions suffering from gunshot wounds. Officials believe Walker shot the woman before shooting himself.

The car had been seen in several locations in Salt Lake County. Earlier, the car had been in an accident near 13800 South and 900 East.

The Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Facebook page noted that Johnson will be honored at the state Capitol and his name added to the wall of those killed in the line of duty, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Following that he will be honored at the National Memorial on Aug. 15, 2014.

The car had been seen in several locations in Salt Lake County. Earlier, the car had been in an accident near 13800 South and 900 East.

A memorial fund has been set up for Johnson's family. Donations can be made at any Well's Fargo bank or online.

*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 advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.</http:></http:>

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