Montgomery, Al
May 18, 2023
Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Poole and the Late Deputy Brad Johnson were jointly honored by the Alabama Legislature in a ceremony at 11 a.m. this morning, in the assembled State House with colleagues and family in attendance. The 2023 Legislative Medal of Honor was personally received by wounded officer Chris Poole and posthumously by the surviving daughters of slain officer Brad Johnson.
Senator April Weaver and Representative Russell Bedsole are pictured here presenting the award as part of the official ceremony with Officer Poole. Also pictured are Brad Johnson’s daughters with Senator Weaver while Officer Poole makes his remarks from the podium.
The legislature recognized Deputy Chris Poole as a recipient of the 2023 Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement; and said, in its resolution as follows:
“Whereas, on June 29, 2022, Deputy Chris Poole initiated the pursuit of a vehicle that was reported stolen in Calera and driven by a 26 year old felon, who had been arrested on 46 criminal charges since the age of 17; at periods during the pursuit, speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour; and
Whereas, the driver lost control of the vehicle and began firing gunshots towards Deputy Poole, who reported on his radio that he had been shot and urged Deputy Brad Johnson, who had joined the pursuit, to back off because of the continuing gunfire; and
Whereas, both Deputy Poole and Deputy Brad Johnson were injured and gransported by police escort to UAB Hospital in Birmingham; Deputy Brad Johnson was pronounced dead on June 30, 2022; and,
Whereas, Alabamians are now safer, and the state has taken a necessary step toward truth in sentencing because Deputy Poole was tenacious in honoring the heroism and sacrifice of his close friend and fellow deputy, Brad Johnson; enactment of the Deputy Brad Johnson Act will also help prevent another law enforcement officer from being lost because an undeserving inmate won early release; and
Whereas, for his bravery on June 29, 2022, and for the events that followed, Deputy Chris Poole is highly honored and deserving of the 2023 Legislative Medal of Honor; now therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Alabama, that we hereby recognize and honor Deputy Chris Poole as a recipient of the 2023 Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement and a copy of this resolution shall be presented to Deputy Poole that he may know of our gratitude for his service.
Fallen Officer Brad Johnson was also recognized as a recipient of the 2023 Legislative Medal of Honor and presented to his surviving daughters. Johnson was recognized with Alabama’s highest law enforcement award for extraordinary courage in the line of duty and for his bravery on June 29, 2022 and for the events that followed.
Officer Chris Poole is pictured above with the daughters of Officer Brad Johnson.
