Miami, FL – Miami Police Officer Aubrey Johnson Jr. died in the line of duty on Oct. 1 from a blood clot that developed after he was injured while chasing a narcotics suspect in September.
Miami police officials said Officer Johnson tore his right Achilles’ tendon while chasing a drug suspect on Sept. 17, WFOR reported.
The 28-year-old officer was treated by doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital who prescribed pain medication and sent him home to recover.
Officer Johnson was placed on temporary disability leave until he could return to light duty, WFOR reported.
Miami Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President Tommy Reyes said that Officer Johnson called a family member on Thursday evening and asked them to come over because he wasn’t feeling right, WPLG reported.
“He made a phone call to his family and by the time they arrived, he was unconscious,” Reyes said.
Officer Johnson was transported to Jackson North Medical Center where he died from a blood clot, WPLG reported.
The autopsy report from the Medical Examiner’s Office released on Monday said that the hero died from a pulmonary thromboembolism that occurred due to deep vein thrombosis as a result of decreased mobility and a right leg injury.
The union president said the fallen officer was the son of a retired police dispatcher and a high-ranking Miami Police Department staff member.
He also said Officer Johnson was Miami Police Athletic League (PAL) youth counselor and volunteered coaching a children’s football team, WPLG reported.
.@MiamiPD Officer Aubrey Johnson served his community in more ways then one. The entire Miami PD Family will miss him dearly. Rest In Peace brother 🙏🏼🖤💙🖤 @MPD_PAL @CityofMiami pic.twitter.com/uz08CgUi7z
— Major A. Guerra (@AlbertGuerraMPD) October 3, 2020
Officer Johnson joined the Miami Police Department in 2015.
“His classmates from the Academy and the people he currently works with, they are torn to pieces because they say he was such an amazing person,” Reyes said.
Officer Johnson is survived by his parents and siblings, WPLG reported.
He will be buried with full police honors on Thursday at Caballero Rivero Dade North in Opa-locka after a funeral service at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens.
On behalf of the entire @MiamiDadePD, I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of @MiamiPD Officer Aubrey Johnson. May he rest in eternal peace. https://t.co/JRCKUj41Z2
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@MDPD_Director) October 2, 2020
In deep sadness & disbelief I join countless others paying tribute. Officer Aubrey Johnson Jr., passed away today from line of duty injury. As you see from the picture, also Coach & mentor to children in Miami Police Athletic League. Sleep well Aubrey Johnson. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/5mZqTiO3MX
— Delrish Moss (@Delrish_M) October 2, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters from the Miami Police Department as they mourn the loss of officer Aubrey Johnson. pic.twitter.com/UlM0KQOTBF
— Miami Fire Rescue (@CityofMiamiFire) October 2, 2020
My sympathies go out to the family of the member of our @MiamiPD, officer Aubrey Johnson. God rest his soul.
Mi más sentido pésame para la familia del miembro de nuestro Departamento de Policía de Miami, el oficial Aubrey Johnson. Dios lo tenga en su gloria. pic.twitter.com/iuQK9GUb7Y
— Manolo Reyes (@Manolo4Miami) October 2, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Miami Police Officer Aubrey Johnson Jr., both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.