CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Charleston police officer was honored Friday during a ceremony recognizing him for receiving one of the top awards among police officers.
Patrolman Seth Johnson was named in May as the American Police Hall of Fame’s National Police Officer of the Year for his response during a November 2017 home invasion.
Johnson, his family and scores of police officers attended the ceremony held in the Charleston City Council chambers of City Hall.
“It’s something I never fathomed,” he said. “You look at things that happen across the nation and all the officers who are more than worthy in my eyes of receiving this award, so to be selected from officers all across the nation is definitely an honor and something I am very proud of.”
Johnson responded to a home invasion in the 600 block of Albert Sreet last November. When Johnson entered the home, Seth Hardwick shot him in the chest.
Johnson was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time. He returned fire, killing Hardwick.
“It’s something we train for every day, but you never expect to be in that situation. It’s something you never want to happen,” he said. “You just never know when something can happen of that nature, and you hope that you’re ready for it.”
The honor is the second for the Johnson family. Yeager Airport Chief of Police Eric Johnson received the award in 2007 after being shot while working undercover.
Patrolman Johnson said he was in middle school when his father was named National Police Officer of the Year.
“It’s something that you only expect to happen once in a lifetime,” he said. “For me, it’s just surreal and very humbling.”
A plaque honoring Johnson will be in the Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida.