Family of PTSD Veteran Killed By Police Get Visit from Santa

Family of Soldier Killed in Police Shooting Gets Visit From Santa
Big Country
Ashley Gooden
12/20/2014

One deserving family was surprised by Santa Claus and his helpers at their home this evening.

You may remember hearing the story about Barbie Johnson's husband, Jeffrey Johnson who suffered from PTSD was killed in an officer-involved shooting in September. The Johnson family misses Jeffrey, but knows that he'll be with them in spirit.

Barbie calls him "the angel on our tree, not a star".

Barbie's sister Angela and their close friend Jamie have been keeping this surprise since Thanksgiving and are thrilled that Christmas is finally rolling around.

Jamie Goldstrich heard Barbie's story at a VA Town Hall meeting and knew she had to do something for the family, so she called the Santa's Workshop organization to see if it would sponsor them.

Jamie's husband also suffers from PTSD and felt sympathy for Barbie because it could just as easily have been her husband, "...it made me feel that I needed to reach out, and I have kids myself, and I could not imagine not being able to give them a Christmas, but I've been there before too, and people have helped me out."
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Investigation Continues In Officer-Involved Shooting That Killed Suspect
Big Country
Bethany Blaine
09/12/2014

The Abilene Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division and the Texas Rangers are still investigating the officer-involved shooting that killed 33-year-old Jeffrey Johnson.

As of Saturday, Chief Stan Standridge said there were no updates. Administrative leave for the officer involved lasts usually no less than three days, but it can be much longer if a licensed counselors believe it is in the best interest of the employee, Chief Standridge said.

APD supports the extension if needed.

Johnson's wife tells us that he was a veteran dealing with post traumatic stress disorder for the past few months.

During the afternoon hours of September 12, 2014, officers responded to a check welfare call at the Best Western Hotel located on Overland Trail near FM 600. The caller indicated a known person was possibly suicidal and requested patrol officers make contact with him at the hotel.

Upon arrival, officers contacted Jeffrey Johnson, a white male, 33 years of age. Later during that contact, Johnson slammed and barricaded the hotel room door on the responding officers as they tried to speak to the calling party. Johnson then fired two shots. One of the rounds passed through a wall narrowly missing an APD patrol officer standing outside the door.