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'Suicide' Pc had been grieving for mother
Danny Brierley, Evening Standard29.07.08
A popular policeman twice named the Met's community constable of the year was said to have been trying to come to terms with the death of his mother when he apparently took his own life.
The body of Pc John Johnson was found in the Thames near Waterloo, five days after his abandoned bicycle was found on Battersea bridge.
Friends of the 52-year-old told how his mother had recently died at her home in Cardiff after a long illness. The Pc had made several trips from his home in Lavender Hill to help ease her suffering.
The former public schoolboy, who was at Oxford University for a year, was unmarried and looking forward to his retirement in 18 months but his mother's death cast a shadow over his life.
He was also said to be worried about his own illness, caused by blood-poisoning after a bout of appendicitis was wrongly diagnosed as gall bladder stones. Pc Johnson had only returned to work a few weeks ago and his weight was said to have fallen dramatically.
A close friend said: "The nursing support he was paying [for his mother] was pretty expensive. He was trying to reduce that by looking after her himself. It put an extra strain on him. He had also been very ill. He had been on a long period of sick leave. He may have been depressed about that."
Pc Johnson was a member of several societies in Battersea, including the Rotary club and deanery synod of his church, as well as that of the diocese of Southwark. He was friends with Battersea MP Martin Linton and the Bishop of Southwark, Dr Thomas Butler.
The friend added: "You can't say that his mother's death made him jump from Battersea bridge, but it was something that obviously affected him."
The death of Pc Johnson, who patrolled the same beat for most of his 29 years of service with the Met, was said to be a "great loss" to the force.
Wandsworth borough commander Stewart Low said: "John was a wellliked officer and his untimely death has shocked a great number of officers. It is a bitter blow to us all."
Reader views (9)
I am now a retired teacher from Bolingbroke primary school (now Westbridge).PC John regularly spoke to the whole schoo; in assemblies. He was always willing to talk to individual classes about the dangers of fireworks,road safety, and above all the difference between right and wrong.He was respected by the children in our school. He was a great man, highly educated and yet chose to serve the Battersea community in such a caring way.It is so lovely to see the above messages from the children who remember him.
- Vanessa Balingit, Battersea SW11
John was a friend and colleague for the best part of 28 years. He was totally dedicated to his life as a community officer and I know from many community functions that I attended just how loved and respected he was within the community. To describe him as unique would not be far from the truth. A highly intelligent individual, extremely well read, the most convivial of company and well connected, but always able to relate to the common man. I am sure he will be sorely missed within the Borough of Wandsworth and by his countless friends. I shall miss him that's a certainty.
- Andrew Barrett, Taunton, Somerset
I don't live in Battersea, however, I feel Penge is missing out on such a character, as John Johnson. He obviously was one in a million.
- Sandy Defriane, london
PC John Johnson will be sorely missed in our Community. As a child, he'd come to my Primary School every year and warn us of the dangers of Firework Night and install some very wise words upon us all.
RIP John, you were a fine man, and I'll miss you cycling past me, and always taking the time to say hello.
- Hayley Glover, Battersea, London
Johnny Johnson was a gentleman and fine man, helpful, knowledgeable for whom nothing was too much trouble. He will be terribly missed in our area. What a sad sad thing to happen to such a wonderful man.
- Michael Brown, Battersea, London SW11
Pc John Johnson will be truly miss by all. This police officer had the respect from people young and old because he gave respect to them he was one in a million. Only if we could have more people like him.
- Nadine Self, Battersea
Will be sadly missed a friend for over 20years, always stopped and had a minute to say hello, usually with a smile.
- Christine Self, Battersea UK
PC John was a part of my childhood not only coming into my primary school but also a part of the parish to my church.
He was looked up to by so many and will be sadly missed.
- Lindsay, croydon,uk
I remember PC John when he used to visit our primary school in the Eighties/early Nineties- he was so popular. It is a shock to all that knew him. He was a really good man.
- Natalie, Battersea, UK
