Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Bristol Township Deputy Chief of Police Ralph Johnson passed away Friday morning.
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The police department said Johnson, a 37-year member of the agency and local resident, was surrounded by his family when he died.
In recent years, Johnson had battled cancer.
Johnson was appointed deputy chief last month as his family and fellow officials looked on.
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The longtime lawman served as part of the department since February 1986. He worked the patrol beat and served as a dog handler, a detective, a narcotics investigator, and was assigned to a federal task force during his career.
Credit: Bristol Township police
Johnson served as acting chief in 2014 before becoming lieutenant the next year when current Chief of Police Robert Coulton was hired.
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Johnson’s purview at the department was wide in recent years. Shortly before he was appointed deputy chief, the department appointed two new lieutenants to assist with command duties.
Services for Johnson are pending.
Below is Coulton’s Friday statement:
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It is with great saddest to announce the passing of Deputy Chief Ralph Johnson, who passed away this morning surrounded by his loving family.
On June 1, 2015, I came to the Bristol Township Police Department with the task of instituting changes and professionalizing the administration and operations of the police department. Over the course of seven and a half years we have made great strides in those efforts, which would have not been possible without the dedicated assistance of Deputy Chief Johnson.
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From day one, Deputy Chief Johnson embraced our plan to instill the change that was required to improve the policing services for the citizens of Bristol Township. Those who knew him know, he could accomplish any task large or small, but for me he was a trusted partner, confidant, and friend.
With Deputy Chief Johnson’s passing he will be remembered as a remarkable individual who poured everything he had into his three decades of law enforcement service to his community, and he will serve as a role model for our future generation of police officers to emulate.
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We will miss him greatly.
Details of Deputy Chief Johnson funeral services are pending.
May God Bless Deputy Chief Ralph Johnson and his loving family.
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