Jackson Parish native, Captain Pat Johnson of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office was recognized at the Beyond the Badge Heart of Law Enforcement Award ceremony held in Baton Rouge recently.

This award is given each year to Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers who have been nominated by their agencies or the public for acts of kindness they performed outside the scope of their normal duties for the previous year.

Captain Johnson, the son of Jackson Parish residents Richard and Barbara Johnson, received the 2024 Heart of Law Enforcement Service Before Self Award. Captain Johnson was recognized for his voluntary participation in a kidney donation program that saved the life of the recipient. The recipient is doing well and was able to resume his normal lifestyle as a school football coach.

While attending the FBI re-trainer class in the spring of 2023, Captain Johnson learned of a kidney donation program and became interested in becoming a donor. After much prayer, he realized he was led to participate. He researched and selected the donor program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. After undergoing extensive testing to determine if he was a candidate for donation, he was accepted to participate in the program. The transplant was performed on December 11, 2023 and was a complete success. As soon as the recipient received the kidney, it functioned perfectly.

“It has been a blessing for God to have led me down this road and to know that I have truly helped someone in need is a privilege that will never be taken away.” said Johnson, a 22-year OPSO veteran and supervisor of the Civil and Tax Divisions.