Metro police helicopter pilot Sergeant James Johnson has been awarded the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s (ALEA) Captain Gus Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award for his efforts to apprehend the man who opened fire on Officer Danita Marsh last October.
Upon receiving word that Officer Marsh had been shot and the gunman was being pursued, Sergeant Johnson loaded a police canine team into the back of a helicopter and took off in a driving rain storm. He flew to Benton County and, from the air, saw the gunman trying to speed away from pursuing officers. The suspect crashed and fled on foot toward a nearby pond. Sergeant Johnson maneuvered the helicopter between power lines and, although he couldn’t land on the hilly terrain, placed one skid on the ground. That allowed the canine team to deploy from the helicopter. The gunman swam to the middle of the pond. Officer Joe Shelton and police dog Memphis also entered the water to take the suspect into custody.
“This police department and the citizens of Nashville are very fortunate to have the resources of an aviation component that is staffed by extremely talented and dedicated professionals like Sergeant James Johnson,” Chief Ronal Serpas said.
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