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Incident at 9300 Randolph

September 22, 2006 -- Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the murder of a Houston police officer at 9300 Randolph about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 21).

The suspect, Juan Leonardo Quintero (H/m DOB: 1/28/74), is charged with capital murder of a police officer in the 248th State District Court. He is accused of killing HPD Officer Rodney J. Johnson.

Officer Johnson, 40, was sworn in as an officer in December of 1994 as a member of HPD Academy Class #159. He was a highly decorated officer who received two life saving awards during his tenure with the police department. One heroic act came in January 1998 when Officer Johnson conducted a water rescue of a physically challenged driver trapped in rising floodwaters. On another occasion, Officer Johnson risked his life to save mentally challenged individuals trapped inside a burning house in April of the same year (1998).

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M.D. Newcomb and Officer A. Mares reported:

Officer Johnson, assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division, conducted a traffic stop in the 9300 block of Randolph. He arrested and handcuffed the suspect before placing him in the back seat of his patrol vehicle. The suspect produced a weapon from his waistband and fired at Officer Johnson, seated in the front seat of the patrol vehicle, striking Officer Johnson numerous times. Other patrol officers arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, who was still handcuffed in the back of the patrol vehicle. A weapon was recovered in the back seat of the patrol vehicle.

The suspect was taken to HPD Headquarters at 1200 Travis where he provided a full confession.

Click here for a photo of Officer Johnson.

NJM/JFC/DWR 9/22/06
Inc #146243006

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division a 713-308-3200.