Nyssa Police Chief responds to guilty plea of officer’s killer

NYSSA — It’s been a rough road.

That’s how Nyssa Police Chief Donald Ballou says it’s been since Reserve Officer Joseph Johnson was shot and killed in the line of duty in April 2023.

But now, there’s been a sense of some closure, as Johnson’s killer, Rene Castro, recently pleaded guilty to Aggravated Murder. Castro is expected to be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

“I’m thankful he’s not dragging this through a trial and reopening those wounds back up,” says Chief Ballou. “I’m not really satisfied that he gets a chance at parole, but overall the decision is pretty good.”

Chief Ballou says since Johnson’s murder, his department in the small Malheur County town has gone through a wave of emotions but have been supportive of one another and looking out for each other.

“It’s been a rough road. I think it’s going to be a constant thing, but overall as time’s gone by we’re healing and getting better.” said Ballou.

He says he stays in constant contact with Johnson’s family, even planning a memorial softball tournament with Johnson’s widow that will happen in Nyssa on April 15, the anniversary of the day Johnson was killed.

“Officer Johnson loved baseball and his wife thought this would be a great idea to have a fun event and put smiles on people’s faces on what will be a hard day,” said Ballou.

The softball tournament will be held on April 15 at 5:30pm at JJ’s Park, named for Officer Johnson, which is on Locust Avenue and North Fifth Street

The man who murdered Officer Johnson, Rene Castro, is set to be sentenced April 5.

“I’m glad he’s being held accountable and I’m glad he was able to accept the fact of what he did and make a plea to it instead of dragging everybody through a trial,” said Chief Ballou. “We don’t have to deal with whether he gets let go or not because of some technicality. I think anything can happen with any trial.”

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Elkhorn Media Group