Michigan State Police honor 20th anniversary of trooper killed in the line of duty

PAW PAW, Mich. — Michigan State Police troopers from around the state gathered along the shoulder of Interstate 94, to pay tribute to Trooper Rick L. Johnson who was killed in the line of duty May 6, 20 years ago in Van Buren County.

According to Michigan State Police Lt. Ryan Schoonveld, it was important to mark the anniversary of Johnson's death even during the COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

"It's definitely a different time. I think since it's so unprecedented none of us really know how to react to it," said Schoonveld, "I just think it's important for us, even when we're in a situation like this, for us to remember those who went before us and just take some time to think about them, remember them, honor them and make sure that everybody knows that we haven't forgotten them."

A trooper laid flowers at the scene of the crash where he died 20 years ago, a quarter of a mile from the Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post where he was stationed. After a salute in silence to Johnson, the trooper returned to his patrol vehicle to lead a memorial procession of Michigan State Police officers, with emergency lights blazing.

As traffic passed the caravan of officers, drivers honked their horns while a Van Buren County Sheriff deputy draped an American flag from the overpass.

"I remember going to his funeral that day but I never got the chance to know him. I know there are some guys that are still around that worked with him and they're gonna be there today. So this is pretty meaningful to them I know for sure," Schoonveld said.

He said it mean a lot to every police officer to take a moment to once in a while to remember the sacrifice of all officers lost in the line of duty, whether they knew them personally or not.

"Because of that danger and because of those that went before us and gave their lives, it's really a part of all of us and we all have to make sure we're remembering them," Schoonveld said. "I know it's definitely part of the camaraderie. We all come together. We all remember. We all remember him."

Johnson was struck and killed during a routine traffic stop on May 6, 2000, after he had stopped the vehicle on westbound Interstate 94. While returning to his patrol car, walking between the vehicles, a distracted driver left the highway and cashed into the cruiser, pinning Johnson between the cars. The 35-year-old was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Johnson's memory lives on at the Michigan State Police Paw Paw post in a very tangible way.

"We have a plaque for him right out front here that we see on a regular basis, we have some stuff up in the post, we have a little work out area that we named in honor of him," Schoonveld said, " Even though it was 20 years ago and a lot of the guys who work here now never got a chance to meet him, he's somebody that we wont forget. We'll always think about him."

Schoonveld said the anniversary of Johnson's sacrifice was the perfect time to remind drivers of Michigan's move-over law that was expanded by former Gov. Rick Snyder in February 2019.

"Now tow truck drivers and utility workers on the side of the road, as long as their lit up with their lights you have to move over," Schoonveld said, "We just put that reminder out to the public that hey we're out there, we're doing our best and sometime you might not agree with what we're doing or how we're doing it, but we're doing our best to try to keep everybody safe, so if you could slow down and move over for us we would really appreciate it."

While you may only see one officer or emergency worker on the side of the road, and think they're too busy to ticket you, Schoonveld said holding drivers accountable is a team effort and they will pull you over.

"The troopers on the road are constantly standing out on the freeway with cars flying past at high speeds and it's something that officers don't forget too often because you see it happening all the time," Schoonveld said, "In that age of radios and cellphones and everything like that word travels pretty quickly, so we're out there and we work together a lot. Especially now with the roads not quite as busy with the pandemic going on, some of the speeds have been really extreme out there which can be very dangerous. "

"It might not seem like we're out there as much but we haven't cut back any of our patrols at all. We're out just as much if not more than we were in the past". Schoonveld said.

According the the Michigan Vehicle Code, when drivers approach a parked emergency vehicle on the side of the road with it's emergency lights on, they must reduce their speed by at least 10 mph, and if on a road with two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction the driver must move over at least one lane from the emergency vehicle. If the road doesn't have at least two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction drivers must "shall proceed with due care and caution and reduce his or her speed by at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit, or as directed by a police officer."

Drivers who violate this law can be held responsible for a fine up to $400. Drivers who violate this law and injure an emergency worker or first responder faces a fine up to $1,000 or up to two years in prison. If the crash results in the death of an emergency worker or first responder that penalty jumps to $7,500 or up to 15 years in prison.