Retired Homewood Officer Orlandera Johnson

Homewood Police Department



Retired lawman killed in auto crash had been popular Homewood officer
By Carol Robinson -- The Birmingham News
January 05, 2010, 1:40PM

Homewood police are mourning the loss of a veteran officer killed this morning in a traffic accident in Bessemer.

Retired Officer Orlandera Johnson, 64, was traveling southbound on Interstate 20/59 just before 8 a.m. when a car crossed the median and struck him, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.

Johnson was pronounced dead on the scene.

There were three cars involved in the crash, authorities said. A woman and a child in the car that struck Johnson both were injured and taken to area hospitals. The motorist in a third vehicle wasn't injured.

Johnson worked for the Homewood Police Department from 1979 to 2008, when he retired after 29 years of service.

Before he joined the Homewood force, Johnson worked for the Roosevelt City Police Department. said Homewood police spokesman Sgt. Andrew Didcoct.

"O.J., as he was know by everyone, was very popular and probably the most well-known Homewood officer," Didcoct said. "People were always asking, 'How is O.J.' or 'I have known O.J. for years, tell him I said hello.' Everyone loved O.J. and he will be missed."

More from the Birmingham News

God rest his soul and comfort his family. He will be missed.


Two Viewings:

Saturday, January 9 : 12pm - 5pm
2601 9th Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020-4035
(205) 425-2414

Saturday, January 9 : 6pm - 8pm
7313 Arabia Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35224-1037
(205) 787-1398


Funeral:

Sunday, January 10 - 1:30pm
Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church
2301 Avenue E
Birmingham, AL 35218-1830
(205) 786-5378