Tulsa Police Honor Guard Travel To DC To Help Honor Fallen Tulsa Sergeant

Nearly 30 members of the Tulsa Police Department are in Washington D.C. as Sergeant Craig Johnson is honored for making the ultimate sacrifice.

Friday, October 15th 2021, 5:08 pm

By: Reagan Ledbetter

WASHINGTON D.C. -

Nearly 30 members of the Tulsa Police Department are in Washington D.C. as Sergeant Craig Johnson is honored for making the ultimate sacrifice.

Businesses and people in Tulsa donated money to send the Tulsa Police Honor Guard, Johnson’s family, and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan to D.C. this week.

The Honor Guard members said feel they had to be here this week, not only to show their support for Johnson’s family, but to support all the officers who’ve lost their lives.

“As a whole team coming, I think it was meant to be. You know everyone be here and take part in that,” said Steve Dickson, Assistant Commander with the Tulsa Police Honor Guard.

The Tulsa Police Honor Guard sends a couple members each year to National Police week to pay their respects, but this year was different.

The Tulsa Police Foundation helped raise thousands of dollars to make sure the entire team could come this year. It’s the first time in 25 years a Tulsa officer’s name has been added to the law enforcement memorial.

“To come here and take part in all of this, to take it all in, it makes you proud of what you do as an honor guard member, said Dickson.

Sergeant Johnson’s name was one of 701 names of fallen officers read at a candleight vigil at the National Mall last night.

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin is also in D.C.

“Here to see all of us come together and share this commonality, it makes us stronger, “said Franklin.

Franklin said it’s comforting knowing Sgt. Johnson’s legacy will always be a part of history here.

“When you have a person that you really know, and work with and work beside, it really makes the wall mean something now,” said Franklin.

“They are part of our family; they always will be. We won’t forget Craig’s name ever,” said Dickson.

Several members of the Tulsa Honor Guard will be escorting families of fallen officers from other states at memorial service tomorrow at the U.S. Capitol.