HOUSE RESOLUTION 25

(By Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker))

On behalf of the entire membership

March 11, 2023

Supporting the Medal of Valor nomination of Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson as recommended by the First Responders Honor Board.

Whereas, The Medal of Valor is awarded to firefighters, law-enforcement officers, and emergency medical services personnel who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity and at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty in the performance of their duties; and

Whereas, The First Responders Honor Board has submitted to the Speaker of the House of Delegates the following nominee for the Legislature’s consideration:

Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson of the Charleston Police Department; and

Whereas, Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson of Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, was a lifelong West Virginian who personified personal traits of integrity, public service, and excellence that we fellow West Virginians respect and admire; and

Whereas, Cassie Marie Johnson was born in West Virginia, on the 25^th day of September, 1992, the daughter of Sheryl S. Casto; and

Whereas, Cassie Marie Johnson graduated from Capital High School; and

Whereas, Cassie Marie Johnson had a life-long love for animals and began her career in public service as a Humane Officer for the City of Charleston on the 2^nd day of October, 2017, where she exceled; and  

Whereas, Determined to also serve humans, Cassie Marie Johnson worked hard, overcoming personal obstacles, and graduated the 3^rd day of May, 2019, as a member of the 177^th Basic Class of the West Virginia State Police Academy; and

Whereas, Upon graduation from the State Police Academy Cassie Marie Johnson was sworn into the Charleston Police Department as Patrolman on the 11^th day of January, 2019, and with title bestowed, committed her life to serving the people of her home, Charleston, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson was a dedicated police officer who loved her job and serving the community where she was raised; and

Whereas, On December 1, 2020, Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson responded to a routine parking complaint call where she was mortally wounded by a suspect and later succumbed to those injuries on December 3, 2020; and

Whereas, This tragic loss of a life of a young woman with so much life and potential before her, given for the greater good, reflects the highest and fullest measure of sacrifice and reflects great credit upon herself and the great state of West Virginia; and

Whereas, The Medal of Valor is deemed the highest award that the state of West Virginia can convey to a citizen who has dedicated himself or herself to public service to the people of West Virginia and may only be awarded by the Legislature, upon the recommendation of the First Responders Honor Board; therefor, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

By enactment of this resolution, that the House of Delegates hereby endorses the awarding of the Medal of Valor nominee recommended by the First Responders Honor Board; as the actions of Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson, not just on the day of her death, but through her exemplary performance as a Patrolman for the City of Charleston, where her actions personified the bravery and valor requisite for receipt of this highest honor; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Governor shall bestow the Medal of Valor posthumously upon Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Patrolman Cassie Marie Johnson, recipient of West Virginia Medal of Valor.