Sylvester Johnson facts for kids

Sylvester M. Johnson is a retired American police officer. He worked for the Philadelphia Police Department for 43 years. For six of those years, from 2002 to 2008, he was the city's top police officer, known as the Police Commissioner.

Sylvester Johnson: A Career in Policing

Sylvester Johnson dedicated many years to keeping the city of Philadelphia safe. He started his career as a police officer and rose through the ranks. His work helped improve safety and build trust between the police and the community.

Starting His Police Journey

Johnson began his journey with the Philadelphia Police Department in 1964. He was quickly assigned to the city's Highway Patrol. This unit helps keep roads safe and responds to incidents on highways.

A Heroic Act: Medal of Valor

In 1972, Johnson showed great bravery. While he was not on duty, he stopped a robbery at a supermarket in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. For his courageous actions, he received the Medal of Valor. This is the highest award a police officer can get from the department.

Becoming Police Commissioner

On January 4, 2002, Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street chose Sylvester Johnson to lead the police department. He became the 13th Police Commissioner of Philadelphia. This was a very important job, overseeing all police operations in the city.

Making a Difference in Philadelphia

As Commissioner, Johnson worked hard to make Philadelphia safer. During his first year, the number of serious crimes, like murders, went down. He also focused on making the police department work better with the people it served. This helped improve relationships between the police and different communities.

Retirement from Service

After serving the city for many years, Sylvester Johnson retired. His last day as Police Commissioner was January 7, 2008. He left behind a legacy of dedication and service to the people of Philadelphia.