Sergeant Adam Johnson

Austin (TX) Police Department

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected Sergeant Adam Johnson, of the Austin (TX) Police Department, as the recipient of its Officer of the Month Award for December 2015.
In the early morning hours of November 28, 2014, a lone gunman went on a shooting rampage in downtown Austin. The gunman opened fire, attacking a Mexican consulate and federal courthouse. Officers responded to both locations after receiving 911 calls. It was during this time, that the gunman drove to the headquarters of the Austin Police Department.
As the gunman arrived at headquarters, he exited his vehicle and began firing rounds from a rifle at the building. Meanwhile, Sergeant Johnson and the rest of the Austin Mounted Patrol unit were completing their shift and began unsaddling their horses in the nearby parking garage of the building.
The officers quickly realized that the building was under attack and they moved into position to stop the shooter. When the shooter ceased his gunfire for a brief moment to reload his rifle, Sergeant Johnson used the opportunity to intervene and stop him.
Taking cover behind a pillar in the garage, Sergeant Johnson steadied his aim, as he held the reins of two horses distressed by the commotion, and shot a single bullet at the gunman. Sergeant Johnson struck the gunman from over 100 yards away, killing him instantly and ending the threat. Only the gunman was harmed during the attacks.
“For a guy to keep his composure while holding two horses with one hand and taking a one-hand shot with the other hand, it says a lot about the training and professionalism of our police department,” stated Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo.
“Sergeant Johnson’s quick response to a deadly situation thwarted an attack on his department and perhaps saved the lives of his fellow officers,” said Memorial Fund Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Craig W. Floyd. “His brave actions are deserving of our December 2015 Officer of the Month Award.”
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Sergeant Johnson, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2015, will be honored during National Police Week at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in May 2016.

The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.