One-armed police officer serves Port Angeles

One-armed police officer serves Port Angeles
Mike Johnson goes running into places other people come running out of.


By ROB OLLIKAINEN

Peninsula Daily News

PORT ANGELES, Wash. —
Mike Johnson goes running into places other people come running out of.

And he loves doing it.

Johnson was born with most of his left arm missing, but that did not stop the Port Angeles police officer from becoming one of the most respected members of the force.

Johnson said he became a cop to make a positive impact on the world.

Now he is.

"I've always liked being the person you call on when you need help," said Johnson, who joined the police department in July 2007.

Sgt. Glenn Roggenbuck - Johnson's superior - admits there was some initial resistance to the notion of having a one-armed cop on the squad.

It didn't take long for Johnson to erase everyone's doubts.

"He has the ability to do things with one arm that are sometimes difficult for people with two arms," Roggenbuck said.

"I found out pretty quickly that Johnson didn't need any help making himself a success. ... If there were any doubters, I don't think there are any now."
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