Am I There, Yet?

It is with deep sadness that Sheriff Bill Cogbill announces the death of Deputy Sheriff Randy Johnson. Deputy Johnson, age 51, was found lying on the floor and unresponsive, in the exercise room of the Sheriff’s Headquarters building 11:15 P.M. on April 19, 2005 by a fellow employee. Emergency medical personnel were called but he was pronounced dead at the scene from what appeared to be natural causes. Deputy Johnson had completed his normal patrol shift at the Guerneville Substation at approximately 9:30 P.M. and returned to the Headquarters building to workout.

Deputy Johnson was hired by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department on October 15, 1990 as a Correctional Officer where he worked both in the Main Adult Detention Facility and at the North County Detention Facility. On March 15, 1994, Deputy Johnson was hired as a Deputy Sheriff and assigned to the Patrol Bureau. Deputy Johnson’s patrol assignments included working out of the Santa Rosa Headquarters building, in the Town of Windsor and since February 22, 2000 he was assigned to the Guerneville Substation. Deputy Johnson’s collateral assignments included being a motor officer while assigned to the Town of Windsor and most recently a Field Training Officer and an Emergency Vehicle Driving Instructor. Prior to Deputy Johnson’s service with Sonoma County he served as a reserve Police Officer for the Eureka Police Department.

Deputy Johnson was well liked by both his peers and the communities he served. This is exemplified in the following quote from a letter sent to the department: “I just wanted to drop a line expressing my sincerest appreciation for the way you handled my arrest. Your kind words of encouragement and your compassion during a volatile situation gives me a renewed faith in our law enforcement”. Randy will be missed by many.

An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death. Deputy Johnson was a resident of Fortuna, California and is survived by his wife and two children. Funeral arraignments are pending.

Further inquiries should be directed to Lt. Roger V. Rude at 707-565-1125.