Nicole June Reporting
njune@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Members of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Clarksville Police Department (CPD), and Montgomery County EMS gathered Monday, Jan. 13 for a press conference to remember MCSO Deputy David “Bubba” Johnson, age 52, who was killed in a single-car crash Sunday while on duty.
(See the funeral procession route here).
He was traveling on Ashland City Road, 41-A Bypass when his patrol car ran off the roadway. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Deputy Johnson began his public servant career with EMS, and later served with CPD for 11 years. He then became a Sheriff’s Deputy at MCSO, where he worked for 16 years. He devoted more than 30 years of his life to serving Montgomery County.
“The MCSO family is heartbroken over the tragic loss of Dep. David Bubba Johnson,” said Sheriff John Fuson. “Bubba always took great pride in what he did for us, and I can say that we’ve lost one of the great law enforcement officers of our time. The thoughts and prayers of everyone here at the sheriff’s office go out to Bubba and his family.”
Sheriff Fuson worked with Deputy Johnson for several years on the midnight shift. “I couldn’t think of anybody more fitting for the job that he did. He loved what he did, he loved what he did for the county and he loved what he did for the sheriff’s office. We’re very saddened today for him and his family.”
He said one of the most memorable aspects of Deputy Johnson’s personality was his infectious laugh. His coworkers even nicknamed him ‘Barney Rubble’. “He was a very charismatic human being. You rarely ever saw him mad. If somebody made him mad, he would laugh and smile,” Sheriff Fuson said.
CPD Chief Al Ansley attended the Police Academy with Deputy Johnson, and recalled many fond memories the two shared over the years.
“He was a fantastic individual, always smiling, had a unique laugh, very professional, very ready to help anybody in need,” Chief Ansley said. “But I guess the greatest compliment I could give Deputy Johnson is that if you needed him, you can guarantee he was there. I’m going to miss him. I was shocked when I heard the news. He was a great officer, a great deputy, a great servant to public safety. Most of all he was a damn good human being.”
EMS Director Jimmie Edwards said everyone within the department loved and respected Deputy Johnson. “It’s an immensely sad day for public safety in Clarksville-Montgomery County. Bubba worked with the ambulance service for years as an Emergency Medical Technician, serving others. What a grateful gift of service to our community. He was a devoted parent and a wonderful friend. We will miss him so,” he said. “He was honorable, courteous, and exemplified the public servant. No one has anything bad or negative to share about Bubba.”
Members of public safety wore black bands across their badges, a common mourning tradition among law enforcement. The bands will be worn until three days after Deputy Johnson’s funeral.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 at First Baptist Church, Faith Chapel, with Dr. Ted Denny officiating. Burial will be at Sango Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, and Wednesday, from noon until the hour of service, at the church.
Read the full obituary here.
Officers of the Montgomery County Sheriff Department will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Montgomery County Sheriff Department employees.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clarksville Girls Softball Association, P.O. Box 3391, Clarksville, TN 37043.
Sheriff Fuson said the donation to the Softball Association is very fitting for Deputy Johnson. “Bubba spent a lot of time with his daughter playing softball. He coached little league, girl’s softball, and travel ball with his daughter and it meant a whole lot to him.”
Law enforcement from all over the region are expected to attend the funeral. “Bubba had touched a lot of people, not just here at this agency but throughout the country,” Sheriff Fuson said. “People throughout the state knew him from his work he had done here at the sheriff’s office and CPD and EMS. He knew everybody. He was well-liked and well-loved. We all miss him.”
Deputy David “Bubba” Johnson
