$15K Reward In Case Of Murdered Corrections Officer
MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – The widow of a Miami-Dade corrections officer who was gunned down in front of his own home made a plea to the public Friday to help police find the person responsible for murdering her husband. In addition, the reward for information that will lead to the killer is going up.
Andrew Johnson, 46, was a 10-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department who was shot in the driveway of his Miami Gardens home on Saturday Dec. 1st.
"They really took a hole in my household," said Ebony Johnson exclusively to CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "They really destroyed my house."
Ebony Johnson spoke out Friday, with more than two dozen Miami-Dade Corrections Officers who worked with her husband, by her side.
Andrew Johnson was off duty when shot outside his home on NW 211th Street and 27th Avenue.
Ebony said the fact that they came on her property hurts the most.
"They took the joy that we had in our house, they destroyed my household and they took my soul mate. I've been married to this man for almost 17 years. What this is doing to my daughters, ya know, everyone around us," said Ebony.
"It would be important to find whoever did this and we hope someone will come forward with information," she said.
"My Dad was special. He meant so much to me. He was a great Dad," said his youngest daughter, 13-year-old Kylah, as she sat beside her mother.
It's not known what motivated the killer or if he knew Johnson had been a Miami-Dade corrections officer since 2001.
Johnson had two daughters, 13 and 17, a 24-year-old son and two grandchildren. He worked the day shift at the Metro West Detention Center.
Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers and the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association (PBA) are increasing the total reward to $15,000; $10,000 is coming from the PBA and $5,000 from Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers.
"No one should ever have to go through this kind of anguish in the holiday season," said Miami-Dade P.B.A. President John Rivera. "We're just pleading to the people that saw something because really they could help us."
"On behalf of the entire corrections family, the loss of Andrew hit us very deeply. We are with Ebony, Kayla and Kylah in our hearts trying to hold their hands during this very difficult time," said Tim Ryan, Miami-Dade Corrections Director.
Ryan told D'Oench, "It was an evil deed and it was outrageous."
Andrew Johnson was also active in the community. He served as Elder, Head Deacon and drum player at Razor Sharp Ministries, Inc. Miami. Officer Johnson served the church and the community by feeding those in need, mentoring the youth and street witnessing. He was a graduate of Miami Central High School and received an Associate in Arts from Miami Dade College. He is survived by his wife, Ebony, and their three children; Tavarius, Kayla and Kylah.
There will be a viewing for him Friday night at the Church of the Open Door located at 6001 NW 8th Avenue in Miami. His funeral will take place Saturday at the Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2400 NW 68th Street, at 1 p.m.
If you can help find his killer, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS. All tips do remain anonymous.
