VIDEOS: Day of Mourning; Procession Honors Fallen SJPD Officer

A funeral attended by thousands for slain San Jose police Officer Michael Johnson is underway this morning at San Jose’s SAP Center. Police officers finished filing in at about 11:30 a.m. and Johnson’s family was escorted into the arena by an honor guard.

A black hearse carrying Johnson’s body arrived outside the center at 10:42 am following a motor procession that began at a funeral home in Los Gatos. Johnson, 38, was shot and killed while responding to reports of an armed, distraught and intoxicated man on March 24.

When he arrived in the 2600 block of Senter Road in East San Jose shortly before 7 p.m., 57-year-old Scott Dunham shot him from the balcony of his home.

Dunham was then killed in an exchange of gunfire with another officer, according to police. A 14-year-veteran of the department, Johnson is survived by his parents, Katherine Decker and Daniel Johnson. While speaking at the funeral today, Assistant Chief Edgardo Garcia directly addressed Johnson’s family. “We cannot begin to imagine your anguish and loss, however we all do feel your pain,” Garcia said. “We all speak openly about being part of the police family and this is not cliché.”

He said Johnson was a gun collector, a black belt, a scuba diver and enjoyed “Die Hard” movies.

Following today’s public service, there will be a private ceremony at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park. Government officials such as state Attorney General Kamala Harris, U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, state Sen. Jim Beall and state Assemblyman Kansen Chu are at today’s funeral. There will be a procession through downtown San Jose following the memorial.

--Bay City News