HILLIARD, OH (WCMH) – First Responders Park was filled over 500 people to honoring fallen Hilliard Police Officer Sean Johnson.

“We’ve lost one of our own,” said Hilliard Police Chief Robert Fisher. “We lost our brother, Sean Johnson.”

Some of the people who attended Sunday’s vigil knew him personally.

“He was such a great guy,” said Johnson’s father-in-law, Don Postiy. “He’s already missed so much and we’re with his kids 24/7 and they’re hanging in there.”

Others who came had never met him before. District coordinator for the Ohio Patriot Bikers Brian Snider says it’s important to honor those who keep us safe.

“We owe it to him and the city,” he said with tears in his eyes.

Johnson has been honored with several awards over the years for distinguished service while protecting and saving lives. He was a 16-year veteran of the Hilliard Police Department and also a U.S. Air Force veteran.

“He was a very brave man,” said President of the Blue Knights Chapter Ohio V. Ed Kontul. “He was a wonderful person to know. We’re going to miss him dearly.”

Officer Johnson leaves behind two children, ages 11 and 14.

“Everyday, he got in his truck to come to work here. He has his picture of his two kids and he would kiss the pictures and make the sign of the cross,” said Postiy. “He was a great, great father.”

“Sean leaving us is leaving a hole that we will never fill,” says Chief Fisher. “We will get through this as a family as a community.”

Ofc. Johnson’s visitation is tentatively set for Tuesday, with his funeral on Wednesday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Westerville.

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