Ritchie Bill to Name Bridge in Honor of Fallen Dexter Police Chief Samuel A. Johnson Passes Senate

State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing her legislation to rename a North Country bridge in honor of the late Village of Dexter Chief of Police Samuel “Sam” A. Johnson Sr. has passed the Senate.

Chief Johnson was shot and killed in the line of duty after responding to reports of shots fired on September 11, 1987. Under her legislation, the bridge on New York State Route 180, crossing the Black River from the Village of Dexter to the Town of Hounsfield, would be renamed the “Chief Samuel A. Johnson Sr. Memorial Bridge.”

“Each and every day, law enforcement officials put their own safety on the line to protect others,” said Senator Patty Ritchie. “Chief Samuel A. Johnson is an example of that, and while bravely serving his community, he made the ultimate sacrifice. We must never forget his selflessness and this legislation is just one small way we can make an everlasting tribute to his memory.”

“Chief Sam Johnson went above and beyond to serve the people of his community,” said Village of Dexter Mayor James Eves. “Renaming this bridge in his honor will help ensure nobody forgets a man who selflessly gave of himself to protect others. We thank Senator Ritchie for her efforts to help our Village pay tribute to Chief Johnson.”

 At the time of his death, Chief Johnson had been with the agency for over a decade and was survived by his wife and five children.

 Senator Ritchie’s bill now awaits passage in the Assembly.