Home Dedication Honors Fallen and Injured Sheriff’s Deputies

OCSO Sheriff Tommie Johnson III, deputies, and staff volunteered at the house framing for Jose and Jacqueline O. and their two children in June, so it felt most appropriate to honor the deputies.

In August, Deputy Johns used his body to shield Sgt. Swartz from a barrage of gunfire when the pair was ambushed serving an eviction notice. Sgt. Swartz died in the attack.

Deputy Johns, who continues to recover from his injuries, attended the home dedication with his wife. Deputy Johns found the courage to get up and speak at the dedication. As he fought through tears, he expressed his great sadness over the loss of his colleague and thanked COHFH for honoring them.

COHFH Chairman and CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said the deputies’ service to our community hit home.

“Part of Central Oklahoma Habitat’s mission aims to strengthen family units through affordable homeownership,” said Ann Felton Gilliland. “As a result of Sgt. Swartz and Deputy Johns’ efforts to serve and protect our community, their family units were shaken, and for one of the families, irreparably. Sgt. Swartz’s family lost a father and grandfather that day.”

We continue to keep Sgt. Swartz’s family, Deputy Johns, and everyone at the Oklahoma County Sherriff’s Office in our thoughts and prayers.