Sgt. 'Buddy', now Lt. Johnson
by Terry Toole

Lt. J. C. "Buddy" Johnson

Sergeant J.C. "Buddy" Johnson, former Post Commander of Post 14 of the Georgia State Patrol office, was recently promoted to lieutenant.

Johnson joined the department in 1991 as a radio operator at Post 31 in Valdosta. He was sent to the 68th Trooper School in 1994, and graduated in July 1994. He was stationed at Post 14 Donalsonville. Johnson moved to Miller County, and worked at Post 14. During that time he was assigned to the Olympic Park during the 1996 Olympics and became a Post certified instructor in 1997. Johnson was selected to attend the first and only Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team School in 1997. He was trained in every available area of collision investigation during that time and graduated from that school in January 1998. Johnson was assigned to the SCRT Team 5 in Valdosta. While on SCRT, he was promoted to corporal and in 2000 returned to Post 14 as a corporal. He was promoted to "buck sergeant" and then post commander over the next three years.

"As Post Commander, I was blessed with some of the greatest Troopers in Georgia, each of them giving their heart to the Patrol and its core of values. I had good support from day one. During my near four years as Post Commander, the Post was recognized for its outstanding productivity n DUI enforcement as well as overall traffic enforcement," Lt. Johnson stated..

Awards were presented by MADD for Post of the Year in 2005 and the HERO agency award in 2006. The Governor's office of Highway Safety made a Troop presentation based on Donalsonville's productivity in 2005, which led the Troop (five posts in Southwest Georgia) to a second place standing in overall efficiency in 2005. The Troop will be recognized again soon for its accomplishments in 2006.

"Post 14 was a joy for me. The employees were family and had pride in what they did. I will miss being a part of that from day to day," Johnson said.

It was 16 years to the day from the time Johnson was hired by GSP, until he was made lieutenant in his home Troop (Troop G). The badge number 991 he has worn for years will be returned to the pool for someone else to wear. Lt. Johnson will now be 48.

His duties will be to oversee all administrative issues for the entire Troop, Donalsonville, Thomasville, Albany, Cuthbert, and Americus. He will be the assistant to the Troop G, Capt. Pat Duff. Capt. Duff was also recently promoted.

Lt. Johnson's office will be in Americus at Troop headquarters; however, he will still have a sub office in Donalsonville.

"I am not moving or leaving the area, sorry to disappoint some of you. My family and I will still reside in Miller County. I want to thank all the other agencies in the four county area for your continued support, and I pledge that you will continue to get our support in the future.

A replacement will be named for the vacant Post Commander's position on June 1. There are several qualified applicants already applying," noted Lt. Johnson.

Lt. Buddy Johnson is not only a top Trooper in the Georgia State Patrol, he is a great citizen and a talented actor, singer and song writer for Swamp Gravy and other local productions that draw thousands to Colquitt and this area. He is also a faithful church member and group singer.

Lt. Buddy's many friends wish him much success and God's blessings in his every endeavor.