Craig Daily Press

Craig — A mutually complimentary relationship exists between Craig Police Department Detective Ken Johnson and the local victims’ advocacy group, Advocates-Cri­sis Support Ser­vices.

“They’re the ones taking care of pretty much anyone (who’s been victim of a crime) that needs help,” Johnson said of Advocates. “They’re there so the victim has someone to support them.”

Advocates responded with a compliment of its own toward Johnson by recently naming him the organization’s 2007 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Pat Tessmer, Advocates executive director, praised Johnson in a letter announcing his selection to Police Chief Walt Vanatta.

Criteria for the award included having a strong working relationship with Advocates, personal and professional integrity and “dedication to the advancement of services to victims of crime,” Tessmer wrote.

“Comments from victims and victim advocates regarding Detective Johnson’s outstanding service include his sincerity with people, the caring and concern for each individual with whom he works, and the knowledge and thoroughness with which he conducts investigations,” the executive director wrote.

Johnson, a Chicago native, is a 20-plus year law enforcement veteran. Before joining the Craig Police Department in 2000, Johnson spent 14 years with the Lockport Police Department in Illinois.

He became a detective in 2006.

While he’s received awards and citations before, they mostly occurred in Illinois. The Advocates award is his “first major award in Craig,” Johnson said, but it ranks up there with any he’s received in the past.

“I’d have to say it’d be the top award,” he said, adding that he takes particular satisfaction by knowing it came from a group like Advocates.

“They just work with us from start to finish. They are as involved as police and the prosecution-level in cases to make sure the victim knows justice is coming.”

According to an Advocates nomination form, an organization representative highlighted the detective’s “concern and compassion” for all crime victims.

He “does not show any kind of judgment of the clients he works with,” the nomination letter reads. “Regardless of a person’s background, lifestyle, etc., each person is treated with respect and concern.”

Tessmer’s letter to Vanatta concluded by stating, “It is my hope that Detective Johnson will long continue his work as a law enforcement officer in our community.”

Johnson said the Officer of the Year award could just as easily gone to numerous other officers within the Police Department. He said the Advocates recognition is more a compliment to the department rather than just himself.

It shows “somebody really appreciates what we’re doing,” he said.

Joshua Roberts can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 210, or jroberts@craigdailypress.com.