Fallen in the Line of Duty - Officer David Lee “Star” Johnson | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/3051 | Police | | 3/21/2024 3:40:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/-3DKZbA0TbY | Fallen in the Line of Duty - Officer David Lee “Star” Johnson | <div class="ExternalClass5827CF38DCCB4046B6E35366734D8CFD"><html>
<p>On May 2, 1944, Phoenix Police Officer David Lee “Star" Johnson was shot and killed, making him the second Phoenix police officer to die in the line of duty. His sacrifice has never been recognized by the City as a fallen officer. As we near the 80<sup>th</sup> anniversary of his death, the City of Phoenix is now honoring Johnson for paying the ultimate price.</p><p>Johnson's story has never been widely shared by the department. Many officers have not heard of the 36-year-old from Texas and the events surrounding his death. As a result of the persistence and dedication of a few people inside the Phoenix Police Department, his story is now being shared and honor given.</p><p>Phoenix in the 1940s was a very different place than it is today, and so was the nation. The United States had just come out of the Great Depression, World War II was in full swing, and segregation was still prevalent in the country.</p><p>Johnson was an Army veteran and was one of the few African American police officers in Phoenix at the time. He had been an officer for two and a half years when he was killed and was assigned to the walking beat in Downtown Phoenix.</p><p>At that time, African American officers were restricted to working a specific area of the city. Their beat was in the area between First Street and 16<sup>th</sup> Street, Van Buren Street and Jackson Street.</p><p>The story of what happened to Johnson on the day of his death has been pieced together from various police records, court records and newspaper articles by the Phoenix Police Department Historian Sergeant Vincent Cole, and retired Phoenix Police Lieutenant Rob Settembre.</p><p>“This is a very, very complex chain of events that occurred prior to the death, during the death and even after," Cole said.</p><p>On May 2, 1944, Johnson was working with his partner, Officer Joe Davis, when they witnessed a traffic violation and stopped the vehicle near 2<sup>nd</sup> Street and Jefferson Street.</p><p>It is unknown exactly who was in the vehicle at the time of the traffic violation, but Detective Leonce “Frenchy" Navarre is known to have been on the scene and off-duty at the time of the incident. It is also documented that Davis left his partner to go into a business nearby while Johnson was working the traffic stop.</p><p>The records indicate that an argument occurred between Johnson and Navarre over the traffic stop and a ticket that Johnson was going to write for running a stop sign.</p><p>“That resulted in Navarre opening fire on Star. Star fled the area after being shot and collapsed into a nearby business. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died," shared Cole.</p><p>In the following days, Navarre was arrested and charged for the murder of Johnson.</p><p>During the trial, several witnesses were interviewed, and Navarre was quoted saying his justification for the shooting was that Johnson called him a “son of a bitch" and that he would not be treated like that from anyone. Navarre also used a derogatory term referring to Johnson's race during his testimony. The trail resulted in a hung jury. He was retried and the second trial ended with Navarre being acquitted.</p><p>After his acquittal, Navarre was allowed to return to work as a detective and was assigned to Police Headquarters, which back then was at 17 S. 2<sup>nd</sup> Street.</p><p>Davis, upset about the death of his partner and the acquittal of Navarre, confronted Navarre at Headquarters. Davis shot and killed Navarre.</p><p>Like Navarre, there is a hung jury for Davis' first trial. At the second trial, Davis was found guilty of manslaughter. He served a few years in prison and was released on parole.</p><p>“This happened 80 years ago, and it took a lot of digging to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but once we were able to successfully do that, this is the right thing for us to do," said Cole.</p><p>This spring, Johnson will finally be recognized on both a local and national level.</p><p>Settembre and Cole devoted many hours over the years researching and putting the pieces of the puzzle together. They attempted a number of times to get him recognized as a fallen officer, with no luck, until now. The pair was able to get Johnson recognized as a fallen officer by both the City of Phoenix and the <a target="_blank" href="https://nleomf.org/memorial/">National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial</a>.</p><p>Cole shared that it would not have been possible without the help of Executive Assistant Chief Sean Connolly, Executive Assistant Chief Derek Elmore, Commander Shane Disotell and Commander Gabe Lopez for their assistance in research and their support of getting Cole the opportunity to present Johnson's story to Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan. </p><p>“When I heard the story and got a full brief, I knew that we had to do the right thing because there is never a wrong time to do the right thing," said Sullivan.</p><p>Settembre had previously gotten Johnson recognized at the state level and his name added to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.azag.gov/criminal/law-enforcement/pomb/list">Peace Officer Memorial</a> outside of the State Capitol in Wesley Bolin Plaza.</p><p>“Officer Johnson has been recognized for a number of years at the state level, but I think it is very important that we enshrine his name in Washington D.C. so that the rest of the nation knows about this story," Sullivan said.</p><p>On March 21, 2024, the City of Phoenix added Johnson's name on the Employee Memorial Wall located outside of City Hall, 200 W. Washington Street.</p><p>The Phoenix Police Department will honor him on April 30, 2024, for the first time during the 11<sup>th</sup> Annual Phoenix Police Officer Memorial. And on May 2, 2024, the 80<sup>th</sup> anniversary of this death, the police department will unveil a historical marker near the location the shooting, 219 E. Jefferson Street. </p><p>In May, Johnson's name is being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington D.C. during National Police Week. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.policeweek.org/">Police Week</a> is the week that May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day, falls in and is a week of events that honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.</p><p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://phoenixpolicemuseum.org/">Phoenix Police Museum</a> will also be adding Johnson to their memorial wall, an event is still being planned for the unveiling.</p><p>Johnson was single at the time of his death and unfortunately, no familial connection has been found to represent him during these events. At the time of his death, he was survived by an aunt and uncle.</p><p>Please follow along on the Phoenix Police Department's social media channels, @phoenixpolice, as Johnson is being honored during the various events this spring.<br></p>
</html></div> | https://phoenix.gov/police | Video | police |
City of Phoenix Proposes New 300 Bed Shelter in West Phoenix | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/homeless-solutions/3050 | Homeless Solutions | | 3/21/2024 2:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3050/Newsroom_OHS_005.png | | City of Phoenix Proposes New 300 Bed Shelter in West Phoenix | <div class="ExternalClassD923FB022A6045CA90CB562A2FA0ECB7"><html>
<p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph" data-ccp-parastyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"5f97f654-40d4-4986-8a10-e85f1939c543|61","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"paragraph",201340122,"2",134233614,"true",469778129,"paragraph",335572020,"1",201342448,"1",469777841,"Calibri",469777842,"Calibri",469777843,"Calibri",469777844,"Calibri",469769226,"Calibri",335559740,"240",201341983,"0",134233118,"true",134233117,"true",469778324,"Normal"]}">The City of Phoenix is proposing </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">constructing </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">a new City-owned shelter and navigation center at 11 S. 71</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">st</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph"> Avenue. </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"5f97f654-40d4-4986-8a10-e85f1939c543|60","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"normaltextrun",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"normaltextrun",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}">The proposed shelter will create 280 of the 790 new shelter beds the Office of Homeless Solutions is partnering to add in 2024 and 2025, as part of the City’s continued commitment to expanding shelter capacity in Phoenix.</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph"> Homelessness is increasing in the region and around the country. There is a critical need to have indoor locations for people, especially during the dangerous summer heat in Phoenix. </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span></p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<strong>About the Site</strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">The shelter would have 200 congregate beds in two Sprung Structures</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">, one for men and one for women</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> and </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">another </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">80 non-congregate beds in </span>
</span>
<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">
<a href="/newsroom/homeless-solutions/2819" target="_blank">XWing</a>
</span>
</span>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun"> converted shipping container shelters. A third Sprung Structure would serve as the navigation center, offering on-site, individualized services </span>to help people end their homelessness including case management, behavioral health services, and access to medical services. The site will also offer meals, personal property storage, RV parking and space for people’s pets. </span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<strong>Workforce Development</strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">This facility will also have a unique focus on </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">providing workforce opportunities for shelter guests</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">. While staying at the shelter, guests will have the opportunity to obtain immediate employment and earn income through a partnership with St. Vincent de Paul. The City of Phoenix is also planning to offer workforce development opportunities for guests offering connections to skills training and jobs.</span>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span>
<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<strong>Safety</strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="normaltextrun">The City of Phoenix is working with the community to ensure the proposed shelter will bring a positive impact to the area. </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">This center will prioritize serving people experiencing homelessness in the surrounding neighborhood</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">s</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">. The Office of Homeless Solutions </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">frequently</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph"> conducts outreach in the area and there is a need for a safe, indoor location for people to stay and receive services to </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">ultimately end</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph"> their homelessness. </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">The shelter will be a closed campus, meaning no walk-up services will be offered at this location and guests must be referred by an outreach service provider. The facility will have 24/7 security, a </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">strict </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">code of conduct and a curfew</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="paragraph">. </span>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span>
<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<strong>Community Feedback</strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style=""> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The City of Phoenix values the feedback of the community and is currently gathering input and meeting with stakeholders about the proposed shelter to address any concerns. The City is working with the surrounding neighborhood organizations on the proposed stipulations for the site, including a six-month review of the use permit, once approved, and creating a <span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"5f97f654-40d4-4986-8a10-e85f1939c543|64","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"x_x_xnormaltextrun",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"xxxnormaltextrun",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}">15-member community advisory committee </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">that </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">consists of </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">a majority of</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">local residents</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> or neighbors. The proposed committee would meet monthly leading up to the opening of the proposed shelter and quarterly thereafter. The </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">City</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> will also work to </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">finalize</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> a Good Neighbor Agreement with the community. The Good Neighbor Agreement will address items not included in the stipulations that cover, in writing, how the </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">City</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> and shelter provider will work with neighbors to promptly address concerns.</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xeop" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"5f97f654-40d4-4986-8a10-e85f1939c543|66","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"x_x_xeop",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"xxxeop",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}"> </span></span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xeop">
<strong>Project </strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xeop" style="">
<strong>and Outreach </strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xeop">
<strong>History</strong>
</span>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style=""> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal" data-ccp-parastyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"5f97f654-40d4-4986-8a10-e85f1939c543|62","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"x_x_xxmsonormal",201340122,"2",134233614,"true",469778129,"xxxxmsonormal",335572020,"1",201342448,"1",469777841,"Calibri",469777842,"Calibri",469777843,"Calibri",469777844,"Calibri",469769226,"Calibri",335559740,"240",201341983,"0",335559739,"0",469778324,"Normal"]}">The Office of Homeless Solutions explored multiple sites for the proposed shelter in summer 2023. In November 2023, after doing its due diligence on the property, the City determined this </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">property</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> could be </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">a viable</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">option</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> for the project. The Phoenix City Council approved the architectural and engineering contract in December 2023. </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">The </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">City</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> provided initial notification of the proposed project to the surrounding neighborhood on January 4, 2024. </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">The property is owned by the City and is properly zoned, but a </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">portion</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> of the site requires a use permit to </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">operate</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> a shelter. </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">The </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">City</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> has requested two continuances of the zoning adjustment hearings, which were originally scheduled in February 2024, to allow </span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal">additional</span>
<span data-ccp-parastyle="x_x_xxmsonormal"> time to work with the community to address their concerns.</span>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span>
<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">The City followed the requirements to obtain a use permit, which included providing notification to property owners within 150 feet of the site and to any neighborhood associations within 600 feet of the site. There were no neighborhood associations within 600 feet, so the </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">City</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> proactively conducted </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">additional</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> outreach, including contacting the Si Se </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">Puede</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> Neighborhood Association, engaging the Fowler Elementary School District School Superintendent and Governing Board, and conducting</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">outreach </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">door</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">-</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">to</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">-</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">door</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">at nearby homes and businesses to provide information about the plans, community meeting</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">s</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">,</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> and zoning hearings. T</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">he </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">C</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">ity</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun"> </span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="x_x_xnormaltextrun">presented at the Fowler Governing Board meeting on February 13 and hosted a community meeting at Fowler Elementary School on February 15. </span>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span>
<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">
<strong>What’s Next</strong>
</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Another community meeting will be held Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Fowler Elementary School (6707 W. Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85043). </span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"></span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">T</span>
<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="oypena" data-ccp-charstyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"5f97f654-40d4-4986-8a10-e85f1939c543|69","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"oypena",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"oypena",335572020,"1",469778324,"Default Paragraph Font"]}">he City of Phoenix</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="oypena"> will seek the approval of the Board of Adjustment on April 4, 2024, at 12 p.m.</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="oypena"> at Phoenix City Council Chambers.</span>
<span data-ccp-charstyle="oypena"> </span>
</span>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">If the use permit is approved, the City will begin work on the site immediately, with the goal of opening the shelter this summer to serve people experiencing homelessness during the dangerous heat.</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</p>
<p>
<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"></span>Options to attend the Board of Adjustment meeting or request to speak include:</p>
<div>
<ul>
<li>
<p>In-person attendance at Phoenix City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85007. Speaker and comment cards will be available at the meeting site.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Attend virtually. A link to register to attend and/or speak will be available when the agenda is posted at <a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="http://phoenix.gov/cityclerk/publicmeetings/notices">phoenix.gov/cityclerk/publicmeetings/notices</a>. Registration to speak must be submitted no later than Tuesday, April 2 by 5:00 p.m. Reference case # ZA-734-23.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Hard copy submittals (letters, pictures, etc.) for consideration by the Board may be submitted in person at Phoenix City Hall, 2nd Floor Zoning Counter by Monday, March 25 by 5 p.m.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Residents who have any questions or concerns about the proposed shelter are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Homeless Solutions at </span>
<a href="mailto:homeless.solutions@phoenix.gov." target="_blank">
<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">
<span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">homeless.solutions@phoenix.gov</span>
</span>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. </span>
</a>
</p>
<br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/solutions | News | homeless-solutions |