Burlington City Police mourn veteran officer

BURLINGTON CITY — An officer who served for 25 years on the City of Burlington Police Department died on Sunday, just after a fellow law enforcement officer in a neighboring town was laid to rest.

The department's Facebook page said Roderick "Kevin" Johnson joined the force in 1977 and retired in 2002, having worked as a patrolman and in the detective bureau.

He also served as an acting lieutenant, and was a field training officer, in addition to time served with the Burlington County Narcotics Task Force. One comment on the post called Johnson a, "great man with a big heart."

According to a story on NJ.com, Johnson died just after attending the funeral of fellow former Burlington Township Lt. Tommie Bellamy.

City of Burlington Police Chief Alan Snowy said in the story that Johnson served "with passion and to the highest level of integrity."

"Within the community, Kevin was revered for his sense of humor and enlightening presence to anyone around him," he said.

Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com