John Johnson Running For Escambia Sheriff

July 14, 2015

John D. Johnson of Oak Grove has prefiled to run for Escambia County Sheriff as a Republican.

Johnson is a 34-year law enforcement veteran, first employed in 1979 by the Commanche County Sheriff’s Department in Lawton, OK. He moved to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 1982, where he served for nine years, both as a patrol  deputy and an investigator in the narcotics unit.

He was recruited as a special agent by the DEA in 1991.  After graduating from the DEA Basic Agent School at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, Johnson was assigned to the newly established DEA office in Pensacola where he supervised criminal investigations across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.

In his 22 years with the DEA, Johnson served both as a special agent and the resident agent in charge of the Pensacola office.  During his career, Johnson has received numerous local, state, national and international awards and commendations for his exemplary service, including the Enrique” Kiki” Camarena award from the Benevolent and Protected Order of the Elks in 2002 and the Miami Field Division Agent of the Year award in 2010.

Johnson is a Florida certified law enforcement officer and has attended thousands of hours of specialized law enforcement training. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a Master’s degree in public administration from Troy University, graduating with high honors.

After retiring from the DEA, Johnson became an adjunct instructor at the University Of West Florida College Of Professional Studies and a government contractor.

“I feel my 34 year career in law enforcement, as well as my academic credentials make me the best candidate to serve the citizens of Escambia County as their sheriff. I look forward to meeting them on the campaign trail to discuss the many issues facing our community,” Johnson said in a released statement.

Comments

13 Responses to “John Johnson Running For Escambia Sheriff”

  1. Freddy on July 18th, 2015 4:21 am

    @ M in Bratt and Willis:
    Where Would you like an Escambia Deputy to go when nothing is open in his/her jurisdiction?? Are they not allowed to take a coffee break or a lunch?
    I absolutely do not like cops but use some common sense!! If you live in Florida, what are you doing WAY UP IN ANOTHER STATE??? You are more than likely doing the same thing! the Tom Thumb is less than 2 miles from the state line. It would be better to go way down to the Atmore cut off to that store, 30 or so miles from Bratt?!? Which is closer???? I would rather not call for help but I’d rather they stick close to where I live.
    Oh, everything in Atmore is closer to the state line than the Tom Thumb is in Flomaton. Your point is invalid!!

  2. chris in Molino on July 15th, 2015 5:14 pm

    Has my support. Doesn’t seem to be a dramaqueen or mediaqueen like Morgan. And he has the stats to earn a shot. Escambia County, if you gave Morgan a chance, then Mr. Johnson ought to win overwhelmingly. Just saying.

  3. puddin on July 15th, 2015 1:59 am

    Well put Joyce!

  4. Joyce Grimes Crutchfield on July 14th, 2015 11:56 pm

    I have known John Johnson for over 17 years. He has always been a man of his word and possesses solid moral values. His reputation, personal accountability for results and professional integrity are respected and unquestioned. This is definitely the man we need as the Sheriff of Escambia County, Florida.

  5. Kevin Vickrey on July 14th, 2015 10:58 pm

    Mr. John Johnson you have my support.

  6. willis on July 14th, 2015 9:30 pm

    I’m with you M. Can’t understand 3 Escambia deputies sitting at the Tom Thumb in Flomaton, often.
    But of course the Fire Dept. seems to like Mcdonalds.

    Anyway good luck Mr. Johnson!!!

  7. Robert S on July 14th, 2015 4:23 pm

    Time for Morgan to go find another paycheck.
    He never was a true LEO and never a street cop at all.
    We hear Morgan whine about needing MORE money to fight crime because crime and drugs are so bad here.
    Next week Morgan is telling us how low the crime rate is in Escambia Co. Fla.
    Which of his tales is true?
    Mr. Johnson, best wishes to you, Sir.

  8. puddin on July 14th, 2015 4:13 pm

    It is a breath of fresh air to know that there is a candidate that has the credentials to do the job properly. I worked for our current Sheriff and what a joke. He guarded more airplanes than people. Finally we have a person that could really deserve to wear the sheriff’s jacket. I have worked around Mr. Johnson and can say that he would be an asset to Escambia County because he can do more than Just speak to please the public. Mr. Johnson has my vote!

  9. Bill on July 14th, 2015 4:05 pm

    Sounds and reads like the perfect fit. Got my vote, and, soon to be Mr. Morgan should start cleaning out the office now. Good luck Mr. Jonson.

  10. BigK on July 14th, 2015 1:24 pm

    DEA for 22 years plus a street cop and narcotics detective. One of Escambia’s biggest problem is the drug thugs. Sounds like a guy we need , bet he will know how to get them off the street. He ran state , national and international cases. Our current sheriff is non even a state certified law enforcement officer. Time for a change and he’s got my vote

  11. Voter on July 14th, 2015 9:32 am

    His resume is good and from comments I’ve read elsewhere, he has a lot support in local law enforcement, which is telling us he has stayed in touch, even as a fed. I am looking forward to hear him speak. He’s not a “seasoned politician” either and that can only be good.

  12. M in Bratt on July 14th, 2015 7:25 am

    I hope there is a candidate for Escambia County Florida Sheriff that can help whip the crime wave in Alabama and Santa Rosa County so that the deputes that we are paying don’t have to spend so much time in adjoining jurisdictions. It irks me to no end to see three Escambia County Florida deputes gathered up at the convenience store in Flomaton, or the Buffet in Atmore. It’s also disturbing to see the parade of ECSO vehicles going across the bridges out of the county at shift change time. Let’s keep the vehicles that we are buying, maintaining and buying gas for in OUR county

  13. Dan on July 14th, 2015 6:00 am

    I’m not sure you are ready to be the escambia county sheriff sir so here’s your test. Can play nanny nanny boo boo with all five county commissioners while arresting anyone that should run against you in the future also can you wave to the crowd once a year at the rodeo and continue the tradition of making sure there is a drug dealer and prostitute on every corner in the county if not sir I would have to say your overqualified.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News