Tulsans Raise Money For The Family Of Fallen Officer

Two Tulsa women are raising money for the family of fallen TPD Sgt. Craig Johnson by selling black and blue bows to go on mailboxes. They began making the bows Thursday and have already raised more than $2,000 for Johnson’s family.

Johnson was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Monday. Erin Carlson said as soon as she heard the news, she knew she needed to take action.

Carlson texted her friend Whitney Hanson, whose husband is a TPD officer, to see if there was anything they could do.

Carlson said she has seen people sell bows to raise money before. They sent out a message to the neighborhood on Thursday to see if anyone would be interested in purchasing a bow to show support for the Tulsa Police Department. Within a few hours, Carlson said they couldn’t make the bows fast enough to keep up with demand.

“People started showing up at my house while we were making the bows,” Carlson said. “My front door was left open and people were coming to get them so fast as we couldn’t make them quickly enough.”

Carlson wanted to make sure they can help the TPD families who are hurting while hopefully encouraging other officers, as well.

“I have several Tulsa officers that live in my neighborhood and I think about every day when they leave their home," Carlson said. "I hope when they drive by they see the bows. It’s just one last warm hug on their way to work."

Hanson said the police are their family. It feels as if they have lost one of their own family members.

“With the support of each other, we lean on each other and help each other," Hanson said. "Between family and friends and prayer, we get through it with our police family and pray people accept the police."

If you’re interested in purchasing a bow or making a donation, you can find them at the vigil for Sgt. Johnson in Broken Arrow on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. at the BA Central Park The bows are $10 each.

The proceeds will be given to Sgt. Johnson’s family by way of the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolence Fund.