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DRAPER, Utah (AP) — Some 200 people gathered to share happy memories of a Draper police officer who was shot and killed on duty a year ago.
A memorial at Draper Historic Park on Monday evening included upbeat songs and funny stories about Sgt. Derek Johnson. Draper Mayor Troy Walker proclaimed Sept. 1 an official day of remembrance for the 32-year-old officer.
Johnson was killed Sept. 1, 2013 when he stopped to check on what appeared to be a disabled vehicle.
Authorities say Timothy Walker shot Johnson in the chest and then shot his girlfriend, Traci Vaillancourt, before shooting himself in the jaw.
Walker pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Police say he was high on methamphetamine at the time of the killing.
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