(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award).
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Name: Jeremy J. Johnson
Age: 38
Employer: Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office
Title: Patrol Lieutenant, Shift Supervisor
Hometown: Alexandria, Louisiana
How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: 20 years
Civic-volunteer organizations: Shop With a Cop
Professional Highlights: I have been employed by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office for 15 ½ years. During that time, I have served in the patrol division, juvenile division, Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team (LPNET), and the Lincoln Parish Special Response Team (SRT). While in the juvenile division, I was also a D.A.R.E. instructor. I am also one of the department’s POST Firearms Instructor, Simunitions, Concealed Carry, Defensive Tactics, and First Aid/CPR Instructors. For the past couple of years, I have been acknowledged for having the most DWI arrests within the department.
Landon Hunt on Jeremy Johnson: I have worked alongside Lt. Johnson for the last 15 years. He always has a smile on his face and is a pleasure to be around. Jeremy is constantly reaching out to help others, going out of his way to help mentor and teach our younger deputies as commander of our field training program. He leads by example with a very strong work ethic, a positive attitude and compassion for others. I am proud to work with Lt. Johnson but more importantly, I’m proud to call him my friend.
Q&A with Jeremy Johnson:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
Honestly, I think it’s the people and the growth I have seen in the area. I moved to Ruston in 2003 as a freshman at Louisiana Tech University. The amount of growth as far as businesses, recreational activities, etc. in those 20 short years has been unbelievable. The overwhelming number of people I have encountered in my time here have been good-natured and kind-hearted. The kind of people that will do whatever they can to help you. I’ve not only witnessed that but experienced it firsthand.
How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?
Obviously, I serve in a law enforcement capacity for the parish, and I take great pride in doing so. I think we are lucky here in Lincoln Parish. There has always been a great deal of support for law enforcement here, regardless of what the media might have you believe. Our job truly is to “protect and serve.” I feel like we do that to the best of our ability here at the sheriff’s office. Personally, I’ve always tried my best to treat everyone with respect. When dealing with the various situations we are faced with I’ll try to explain to people what is happening and why it is happening. I think most citizens appreciate that.
It is an unbelievable honor to be a recipient of this award. I’ve never done anything in hopes of gaining any recognition or accolades. I am truly humbled to not only be nominated but be chosen as a Top 20 Under 40.
Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?
My father. He is a trooper with the Louisiana State Police and works out of Troop E back home in Alexandria. My dad is a big reason I chose law enforcement as a career. I remember when I told him I was thinking about getting into law enforcement he replied, “I think you can do it, and I think you’d be good at it.” That’s pretty much all I needed to hear. It’s impossible to count the number of times over the years my father has given me advice. Needless to say, he’s played a very big role in me being the person I am today.
