Family Receives Medal of Honor Posthumously

Twenty-seven years have passed since John E Johnson was gunned down in East Holliston after a routine traffic stop. Johnson, a Holliston Patrolman died within hours and his assailants were hunted down in a massive manhunt. One was captured on the evening of the crime, another within weeks. August 13, 1981, was a night that Holliston lost its innocence as a small suburban community.

In a fitting ceremony on Thursday morning at St. Mary’s Cemetery Holliston Selectmen and childhood friend Carl Damigella presented the John E. Johnson Medal of Honor posthumously to Johnson’s son Brian and daughter Jessica, as Mary (Mullen), Johnson’s mother, looked on. Father Haley blessed the full compliment of Holliston police officers led by Chief Tom Lambert. Also in attendance for National Police Memorial Services were former Chief’s of Police Lawrence Marsell, William George, James Peterson, Rep. Paul Loscocco, as well as Andy Porter, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, who read the proclamation on behalf of the town.

Chief Lambert noted that his department now has a three-tier award system with the Johnson Medal of Honor being awarded for the first time, followed by the Medal of Valor, and lastly an Official Commendation. Lambert told those assembled that officers Matt Stone and Matt Waugh had received official commendations earlier this year in April when they subdued a deranged man on Highland Street. Attendants for the ceremonies were hosted to breakfast at the Holliston Historical Society following the services.