Memorial Service information for Reserve Cpl. Joseph Johnson
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
Corporal Joseph “JJ” Johnson Celebration of Life
Information provided by Oregon State Police
REMINDER: Ontario is on Mountain Time. Please plan for the time difference.
CORRECTION: Departure location is correctly named JOHN J. EASLY Memorial Gymnasium.
UPDATE: Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Corporal Joseph “JJ Johnson Celebration of Life
Media Instructions
Times:
Procession:
0800- Staging
0900- Departure from John J. Easley Memorial Gymnasium
0930- Arrival at Nyssa High School- Nyssa, Oregon
Memorial site:
0830- Pool Video Setup- KIVI TV
0930- Procession Arrival
1015- Media Photographers Setup
1053- Streaming Feed Begins
1100- Service begins
Special Request:
The Johnson family has requested media members not focus on photography or video the family members. It is understood they will be in the periphery of these images, however the focus should be on Corporal Johnson’s Celebration of Life.
Interior Video Coverage:
A pool feed will be setup and organized by KIVI TV. A single media camera will be located in the sound booth of the auditorium. Please contact Donovan Moore at e@kivitv.com“>donovan.moore@kivitv.com for any questions related to the pool camera.
No other media video footage will be allowed in the venue.
Interior Photography:
Media Photography will have access to the sound room and two preset locations on either side of the auditorium for photographs during the service. Media will be shown these locations upon arrival.
Time: Arrive at 1015
Exterior Video and Photography at Nyssa HS:
There will be area (green) in the parking lot of Nyssa High School for Media. This will only apply to the parking lot area. All other sidewalks and public areas are free use, as always.
Time: 0900
In order to not interfere with the procession- Media desiring to be in the parking lot area need to arrive at 0900.
If members of the public wish to donate to support the Johnson family, they may do so through the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation. Donations may be made in person at any US Bank location or online through the “support us” tab on the Foundation’s website at www.oregonfallenbadge.com. All donations collected by the Foundation during this time will be given to the Johnson family. This is the official donation avenue for the Johnson family; crowdfunding sites are neither vetted nor approved.
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NYSSA- Update: April 19th, 2023. information from the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation:
The memorial service for Nyssa Police Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson will be held this Saturday, April 22, at the Nyssa High School located at 824 Adrian Blvd, in the City of Nyssa (OR). The start time is 11:00 A.M. and the public is invited to attend. Additional venues will be identified in the anticipation of the main venue reaching capacity. In that case, the event will be simulcast for the public at those additional venues.
The service will be preceded by a law enforcement procession that will wind through the streets of Ontario and Nyssa ending at the Nyssa High School. The public is encouraged to stand on along the route to show their support for Reserve Corporal Johnson’s family, who will be riding in the procession.
Details of the route will be announced later this week, along with potential overflow venues where the service will be broadcast. Media will be given detailed instructions on where to park and a schedule of the planned events. Because of the limited seating in the main venue, Media will be requested to establish a pool camera to video the event.
We are requesting that all media reports include a link to the site where all donations to the Johnson family should be directed. There have been several donation sites passed around, but there is only one site that has been vetted and guarantees 100% of the donations go to the family. That site is http://bit.ly/support-johnson-family. All donations collected by the Foundation during this time will be given to the Johnson family.
Media may contact OSPPIO@OSP.Oregon.gov expressly for questions regarding the memorial service and activities surrounding the family of Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson. Any questions about the investigation should be directed to the Oregon State Police or the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office.
UPDATE: (Tuesday, April 18th)
NYSSA– (Update April 18, 2023, 4:00 pm) The suspect arrested in the killing of Reserve Cpl, Joseph Johnson in Nyssa over the weekend was arraigned today, April 18, 2023, in Malheur County. During a press conference this afternoon it was mentioned that the suspect, Rene Castro, was arraigned on information filed by the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office for:
•Aggravated Murder
•Murder 1
•Unlawful Use of a Weapon
•Felon in Possession of a Firearm
•Attempt to Elude
The case is set to go in front of a Grand Jury this week.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone who may have witnessed anything surrounding this situation is asked to contact Oregon State Police via *OSP.
Update: April 18, 2023 at 1pm (PT) Press Conference Update: Live stream will be available via the Ontario Police Department Facebook Page at 3P.M. (MTN).
The District Attorney has pushed the press conference back to 3 P.M. (MTN), on April 18, to avoid disrupting a procession for Corporal Johnson. The location is the Ontario Public Safety Training Center located at 55 NW 2nd Ave. A Live stream will be available via the Ontario Police Department Facebook Page at 3P.M. (MTN).
Update: As the community of Nyssa, surrounding law enforcement agencies, families and friends continue to mourn the loss of Reserve Cpl. Joseph Johnson, who died while in the line of duty this past weekend, the Nyssa Police Department is letting those who wish to donate to the Johnson Family know that they can do so through the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation. According to the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, at this time, all donations collected go to the Johnson family.
You can donate to the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation at https://www.oregonfallenbadge.com/?fbclid=IwAR1rw2bLROQ28fV_9pWH7pG7gn2TvkLx5ZBxb0hDaeUUpipslkT9SVz3f68
Chief Ballou with the Nyssa Police Department said, via social media post over the weekend, that Johnson’s “murder has sent a shockwave through our loving community as we all feel the gravity of his loss. However, even with his loss, his true character has brought us all together in support of one another and that is the true Reserve Cpl. Johnson and what he did for his family, our community and us.”
UPDATE from the Malheur County District Attorney
On Monday, April 17, 2023, investigators, with the use of law enforcement resources, located Rene Castro (36) at a residence in Ontario, Malheur County, Oregon. The Oregon State Police SWAT team, along with members of the FBI, Ontario Police Department, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies, surrounded a residence in Ontario at approximately 6:40 A.M. and began calling occupants from the home. At approximately 7:40 A.M., Rene Castro exited a structure and was taken into custody by OSP SWAT personnel. Neither Castro nor SWAT personnel were injured during his arrest.
We want to thank the team of investigators who have been working tirelessly for the past 36 hours to locate and arrest Castro. While the arrest has been made, the investigators are still processing evidence and continuing their work.
The next press release is anticipated to be at 6:30 P.M. (Mountain). At that time, we may be able to provide more information regarding the ongoing investigation.
UPDATE: According to the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, The suspect in the Nyssa Police shooting is now in custody.
If anyone has information on this incident please contact our non-emergency Dispatch Center at (541) 473-5126 and law enforcement personnel will make contact with you. Our heart felt condolences go out to Officer Joe Johnson’s family, friends, fellow law enforcement partners and the Nyssa community.
UPDATE: UPDATE: Calling the death of Officer Joseph Johnson an absolute tragedy, Governor Tina Kotek has ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff until sunset April 17, in honor and remembrance of Officer Johnson’s sacrifice.
Posted earlier:
NYSSA – Malheur County District Attorney David Goldthorpe reports that Nyssa Police Department Reserve Officer Joseph Johnson, 43, was killed while responding to an incident reporting a violent individual was damaging property and threatening others.
Goldthorpe states that Johnson learned the suspect, Rene Castro, had fled in a vehicle and began a pursuit through the city. When the vehicle stopped at the corner of Locust and Third Street North, Johnson pulled over. At that point, the suspect began shooting at the officer.
“There was no time to return fire before Officer Johnson was fatally hit,” Goldthorpe wrote in a news release. “Castro fled the scene immediately. EMTs were on scene in record time, with the Malheur County Sheriff’s department right behind, but Officer Johnson was already deceased.”
Oregon State Police helped the sheriff’s deputy on the scene set up a perimeter and question possible witnesses. OSP is leading the investigation, assisted by Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario Police, “and pretty much every police agency from various departments in Idaho all the way to La Grande, including federal authorities,” Goldthorpe said.
The search for Castro, 36, of Nyssa is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to call Malheur County Dispatch at 541-473-5125,
“The appreciation, love, and concern of all citizens of Malheur County go out to the family of Officer Johnson,” Goldthorpe stated. “The Fallen Badge Foundation is accepting donations on behalf of the family.” He said he plans to release an update by 8 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.
