IN LOVING MEMORY OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER RONALD E. “RJ” JOHNSON [END OF WATCH: APRIL 12, 2011]

            On this date, April 6, 2011, Correctional Officer Ronald Johnson of the South Dakota Department of Corrections, South Dakota, was killed in the line of duty. Let us honor this fallen prison guard and thank God that justice was served, as one of the prison killers had been executed on October 15, 2012. 

Ronald Johnson

            Please go to the Force 1109 Blog to learn more about this fallen Prison Guard and let us hear from his family members.

QUOTE 1: Many were friends of Johnson’s family, and many did not want to talk about the execution. They gathered in small groups near a sign designating the Senior Correctional Officer Ronald “R.J.” Johnson Training Academy.

The two groups were separated by a driveway and two orange temporary fences. Security officers were on hand, but their presence was not overt, and leading up to the execution, the two groups kept to themselves.

Leslie Crevier, whose brother-in-law Jesse Johnson is Ron Johnson’s son, was among supporters who gathered to be on hand as Robert’s sentence was carried out inside the penitentiary.

Before Ron Johnson was murdered, Crevier said she was on the fence when it came to the death penalty. That changed when Johnson was murdered.

“I think anybody who is put in the situation where it’s a family member, I think opinions change,” Crevier said.

Friends and family of Ronald Johnson sit near the Training Center named in his honor before the scheduled execution of Eric Robert at the South Dakota State Penitentiary October 15, 2012.

QUOTE 2: Crevier said she was worried that Robert might kill again. Robert said as much when he was sentenced a year ago, vowing that if he had the chance, he would kill.

“To think it could ever happen again is awful,” Crevier said.

Kelly Kandt, right, and her daughter, Macy, left, take a cell phone image of signs honoring the life and memory of Ronald Johnson before Robert's Execution at the South Dakota State Penitentiary October 15, 2012. The Kandts are good friends with the Johnson family and came to support and honor them.

QUOTE 3: Brooke Edwards, a friend of Crevier’s, said Robert had forfeited control of his fate when he chose to kill.

“You don’t have a right to take someone else’s life,” Edwards said. “So when you do, you put your life in someone else’s hands.”

Kelly Kandt stands with supporters of the Johnson Family as they hold hands at 10:00pm outside the South Dakota State Penitentiary during the execution of Eric Robert October 15, 2012.

QUOTE 4: INTERNET SOURCE: http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/johnsons-widow-execution-brings-safety/?id=138514

Johnson's Widow: Execution Brings Safety

By Ben Dunsmoor

Published: October 15, 2012, 5:53 PM

SIOUX FALLS, SD –

Eric Robert's execution is scheduled for 10 p.m. Monday night, just 18 months after he and inmate Rodney Berget killed Correctional Officer Ron ‘RJ’ Johnson during an escape attempt last year.

And while Robert will be put to death Monday for the crime, the wife of Officer Johnson doesn't want her husband's death to be forgotten.

RJ's wife, Lynette, along with her two children and their spouses plan to witness Robert's execution. And while it will never bring RJ back and, may not even bring complete closure for the family, Lynette says it can bring safety.

Robert's final moments have been meticulously planned and prepared, from his last meal, to the lethal injection, and the cell where he will spend his final days.

And while Lynette, believes Robert's punishment for killing her husband is just, in some respects it doesn't bring complete justice.

"He's going to lay there and from what I'm told take seven to ten minutes. He's just going to lay there and go to sleep. How long was the attack for Ron," Lynette said.

RJ was brutally beaten with a metal pipe by Robert and fellow inmate Rodney Berget. The two then put shrink wrap around his head, all in an attempt to escape.

Lynette believes RJ's fellow correctional officers who went to work in the days, weeks and months following the failed prison break need to be remembered. She hopes Robert's execution will help keep them safe.

"The focus has to stay on keeping our correctional officers throughout the state at all the facilities to keep them safe. My mission is that, that we have to move forward, things have to change," Johnson said.

But correctional officers across the country are remembering RJ too. Lynette just got back from a weekend trip to Las Vegas where RJ was honored and where a correctional officer from Massachusetts who was attacked gave her his personal medal of honor in honor of RJ.

"I know people don't mean to, but we do take for granted our law officers. Everyday they don't know what they're coming into. They don't know what they are going to get into and it's dangerous. Our correctional officers are behind the wall, they look at these people every day," Johnson said.

And while Johnson prepares to watch Robert be executed she says it’s her husband and those officers who need to remain in South Dakota's thoughts and prayers.

"My heart is broken and I'm here for Ron. I'm going to get through this for Ron. We all will," Johnson said.

RJ worked at the penitentiary for 23 years.

Lynette plans to make a statement in the training room at the penitentiary that has since been named in RJ’s honor following the execution.

© 2012 KELOLAND TV. All Rights Reserved.

Rose Fodness stands outside the South Dakota State Penitentiary holding a flag with an image of Ronald Johnson October 15, 2012 during the execution of Eric Robert.

INTERNET SOURCE: http://www.ksfy.com/story/19828075/family-and-friends-gather-to-support-the-states-use-of-the-death-penalty

Family and friends support the state's use of the death penalty

Posted: Oct 16, 2012 12:49 PM Updated: Oct 16, 2012 12:49 PM

By Jake Iversen - email

There's always two sides to every debate and everyone on this side of the fence, they support the judge's decision to put Eric Robert to death. However, they are using this night to also honor Ron "RJ" Johnson's memory, with justice finally being served.

Flags were flown and tears were shed for officer RJ Johnson, but out of all these people, only Rachel Doese could find the right words to say

"I came out to support RJ's friends and his family and support Lynette the most." Said Doese.

Rachel, like the rest of the people on this side of the fence, feel the death sentence for Eric Robert is a just one.

"Yes, because he said in court if he wasn't put to the death penalty he would harm them and kill them too it's a fair situation he showed no emotion on it and showed it wasn't wrong." Said Doese.

While these people have gathered to remember a friend, father and grandfather they say the hardest part is seeing dozens across the parking lot who disagree.

"It's hurtful, if it was their family, I guarantee it's what they would want and it's just not very fair you know." Said Doese.

While Robert's execution will not bring RJ back, Rachel says she will get some relief knowing he's finally gone and can only hope Lynette and the rest of the Johnson family will find some peace as well.

"I'm going to feel good because it's a fair situation he did his consequence and that's what he gets for it." Said Doese.

Lynette Johnson hugs supporters outside of the the South Dakota State Penitentiary after the execution of Eric Robert October 15, 2012.

INTERNET SOURCE: http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21164&Itemid=57

Death Penalty Supporters Gather Together

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter

October 15, 2012 10:11 PM

A crowd gathered outside the state prison Monday night, some of them are people who said they believe Eric Robert deserved to die for his crime.

While people hung up signs in memory of Ronald "RJ" Johnson, they said the death penalty is a fair way of punishment in this case.

"I agree with the death penalty 100%," said Jennifer Doese.

Jennifer Doese, a close friend of the victim Ronald Johnson, and his family, said she was in court when Robert read his last statement, which said he deserved to die for his crime and she said she agreed with him.

"He didn't show any emotion and didn't feel that he regretted what he did so I feel that the death penalty, he deserves it," said Does.

Jennifer is not alone, her niece, Rachel Does said after hearing Robert say he would kill again if he was not put to death, his execution is the right choice.

"If they were to let him out, or even let him pass that, than he would of even killed more than just "RJ," said Doese.

Many people on Monday night said their heart goes out to "RJ's" family, and hope Robert's death will add some closure.

"Finally, they can be at peace for right now," said Jennifer.

QUOTE 7: Inmates serving life sentences can earn the right to move throughout the prison through good behavior.

Jackley prosecuted the case against Eric Robert and Rodney Berget, who were able to kill Corrections Officer Ron Johnson despite being classified as maximum security inmates at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

The officer’s wife, Lynette Johnson, told committee members that the prison system cannot protect officers with a life sentence alone.

A third man, Michael Nordman, was serving a life sentence but had a job that gave him access to the pipe and plastic wrap used to kill Johnson.

Nordman was given another life sentence for his role in the crime and remains in administrative segregation, but Lynette Johnson said she’s been informed by Penitentiary Warden Darin Young that there is no guarantee he’ll stay there.

She told the committee that the death penalty must be reserved for the most dangerous inmates, in the interest of protecting others.

“I’ve never begged for anything in my life … but I’m begging you: Please, please keep the death penalty,” Lynette Johnson said.

Surrounded by family, Lynette Johnson, wife of Ronald "R.J." Johnson speaks during a press conference following the execution of Eric Robert Monday night at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, Oct 15, 2012. Robert confessed to murdering corrections officer Ronald "R.J." Johnson during an escape attempt in April 2011.

 

Sign for the Ronald "R.J." Johnson Training Academy at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, Oct. 15, 2012.