| Office | Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department |
|---|---|
| Term start | January 4, 2002 |
| Term end | January 7, 2008 |
| Predecessor | John Timoney |
| Successor | Charles H. Ramsey |
| Spouse | Cynthia |
Sylvester M. Johnson is a retired American law enforcement officer. He served on the Philadelphia Police Department for forty-three years, including six years as the city's 13th Police Commissioner from January 4, 2002, until January 7, 2008.[1][2]
Johnson joined the Philadelphia police department in 1964 and was soon assigned to the city's Highway Patrol.[1] In 1972 Johnson was awarded the medal of valor, the police department's highest award, for stopping the armed robbery of a supermarket in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, while off-duty.[1]
Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street appointed Johnson as Police Commissioner to succeed outgoing police chief John Timoney.[1] He took office on January 4, 2002.[2] Johnson was credited with lowering Philadelphia's murder rate during his first year in office.[1] He also improved some community relations.[1] He retired on January 7, 2008.[1]
References
- ^ Bussbaum, Paul (2008-01-05). "Farewell salute for police commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson, 43 years on the force, got an escort, with sirens blaring, to an extraordinary send-off at the Kimmel". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 4, 2016. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
- ^ "Biography of Sylvester M. Johnson, Police Commissioner". Pennsylvania Bar Association. Retrieved 2012-07-17.