Sylvester M. Johnson is a retired American law enforcement officer. He served on the Philadelphia Police Department for forty-three years, including six years as the city's 13th Police Commissioner from January 4, 2002, until January 7, 2008.[1][2]
Johnson joined the Philadelphia police department in 1964 and was soon assigned to the city's Highway Patrol.[1] In 1972 Johnson was awarded the medal of valor, the police department's highest award, for stopping the armed robbery of a supermarket in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, while off-duty.[1]
Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street appointed Johnson as Police Commissioner to succeed outgoing police chief John Timoney.[1] He took office on January 4, 2002.[2] Johnson was credited with lowering Philadelphia's murder rate during his first year in office.[1] He also improved some community relations.[1] He retired on January 7, 2008.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Bussbaum, Paul (2008-01-05). "Farewell salute for police commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson, 43 years on the force, got an escort, with sirens blaring, to an extraordinary send-off at the Kimmel". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ^ a b "Biography of Sylvester M. Johnson, Police Commissioner" (PDF). Pennsylvania Bar Association. Retrieved 2012-07-17.