Life of city’s first black captain commemorated
George Johnson decorated with full honors at memorial
DANBURY — Family, friends and fellow officers remembered retired Police Capt. George Johnson as a service-minded man who made Danbury a better place in the post-Civil Rights era because he made people around him better.
“In that time things were not that great between the black community and the police department, and things were happening all over the country,” Helen Caddie-Larcenia told mourners on Monday during a funeral at New Hope Baptist Church in Danbury.
“He convinced me that I could make a difference inside the department instead of complaining outside the department,” she said of Johnson, 79, who died May 3 after a battle with cancer. “So I took the test and I became the first woman police officer in Danbury history.”
The late morning funeral was part of a memorial service with full honors that included a police motorcycle escort to Wooster Cemetery, a 21-gun salute, and a flag folding ceremony.
Johnson made history in 1971 by becoming the first African American command officer in Danbury. When he retired with the number three rank in the department in 1990, he remained the highest ranking black officer until Patrick Ridenhour was appointed chief in 2016.
“We need more Captain Johnsons in our society,” said the Rev. Leroy Parker, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, during the eulogy. “He didn’t use his power to get above his community, he used his power to serve his community.”
“We need more Captain Johnsons in our society” The Rev. Leroy Parker, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church
Mourners in dark attire were animated during the service of scripture, uplifting music and affirming speeches that recalled the heroism of a native son.
Danbury police Capt. Daniel Mulvey delivered a condolence message to the family from Ridenhour, who was in Washington, D.C., for National Police Week ceremonies.
“I thank Captain Johnson for the doors he opened for me and for other officers,” the chief’s message read in part.
Mulvey also delighted mourners with accounts of growing up in Danbury and seeing George Johnson walk the beat, wearing the crispest uniform in the department.
At the time, Mulvey was a longhaired 15-year-old.
“Who would have thought then that I would go to work at the Danbury Police Department under Captain Johnson, or that I would be standing here today in front of you sharing some memories of him.”
Mulvey noted that Johnson worked on some of the biggest cases in Danbury history — including the bombing of the police station and other targets by the Pardue Brothers in 1970, work for which he received death threats.
“Nothing scared him — he stood tall,” Mulvey said, adding that Johnson made people around him better. “He taught me to be thorough and to pay attention to detail.”
The high point of the funeral was an inspired eulogy that likened Johnson’s heart for service to Plato, King David and Martin Luther King Jr.
“Captain George knew who he was and when you know who you are you can give yourself to others without losing yourself,” said Parker, preaching to the point of hoarseness. “We can all learn something from Captain George about loving one another.”