About Johnson

Before I tell Johnson’s story, I must ask…

Have you ever locked yourself out of your house at 6:05 a.m., wearing a flimsy summer nightgown and a bright pink summer robe? In your bare feet? Before your morning shower? With your hair straight up in spots? Have you walked around the outside of your house in the dark, wishing your cell phone was in your pocket…looking inside the widows, wondering if you’ll ever be rescued, because, of course, there’s no door key hidden outside anywhere… Have you ever asked your dogs to unlock the damned door but watched them only look at you through the window with curious eyes, ears erect, heads cocked, and wondering why you aren’t coming inside? They were watching Good Morning America while I was watching for signs of life in the neighborhood. Have you introduced yourself to a neighbor for the first time at 6:30 a.m., looking like a bag lady? I wasn’t pretty. He gave me his cell phone for an hour while he showered. I couldn’t remember any phone numbers, as they were stored away on my cell phone – inside the house. At 8:00 a.m., another neighbor heard me call her from my porch… Embarrassed, I met her on my front lawn and used her Blackberry to call my husband’s office. And finally, at 9:15 a.m., Michael unlocked the door. Earlier, I washed my face in the garage laundry tub, shuddering at the thought of possibly leaving my robe inside the house, and realized that without someone else’s cell phone, I would spend the day napping in the back seat of my car. And I cried for a minute.

So, after a shower, off to work I went, already feeling like it was bedtime. And, no I did not have my camera with me for those three hours of sunrise and morning glory. And, no, I have not experimented with the new camera yet. The upcoming photos are raw.

Yesterday,

Johnson took her final, official POPAT test. Click here for a little background. Before the test began, she was very tense and nervous. Denise, LaTrease, and I sang the Rocky theme song to calm her down.

Her training Sergeant brought his new class of police cadets to witness a POPAT - a test they will need to pass in December.

Johnson was strong as the new cadets looked on.

I wasn’t worried at all. I had confidence in her.

The new cadets looked worried and wondered if they will ever be strong enough to endure...




At the finish, Johnson shaved several seconds off her diagnostic time and the hooting, hollering and high-fiving began. She passed the final with plenty of spare time!

The new cadets were dismissed and our party continued.


Johnson asked for a hug or a smile from her devoted Sergeant but Sgt. Moore truly preferred to maintain his normal, stern composure.

With some coaxing, he broke down and gave a little smile. After all, it was a celebration - for both of them.

Johnson, aka Nikki Parker is so much fun. She’ll be an outstanding police officer.

Here, she’s looking toward the future, I think.

I'm looking forward to seeing her in uniform.

What a woman. Her children are so proud.