Mourners Pay Last Respects To A Fallen Hero

mother Juanita was met and saluted by 22 police officers who stood at attention beside the vehicle. Recognizing the youths memorable life, Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik appeared at the funeral.
Community Affairs officers from the nearby 101 Precinct acted as crowd control for the large number of gatherers. At one end of the block, a police van with loudspeakers mounted on top was wired to the service inside the packed church, broadcasting the service for those who stood outside. "The community asked us to come out and help," said an officer inside the van. Police barricades closed off the part of Redfern Ave. in front of the church from regular traffic.
Among the dignitaries attending the funeral were Congressman Gregory Meeks and State Senator Malcolm A. Smith. "We as a community must rally around him [Johnson] and what he stood for," said Meeks, "so that we can begin to take the guns out of the hands of kids."
According to the two politicians, Johnsons father was serving as the emotional rock for his remaining family. Meeks admitted sadly that Johnsons mother was totally disturbed, showing the effects of the incredible trauma that comes from a parent who outlives their child. Meeks admitted to shedding several tears at the open casket wake.
"Tommy always wanted to one day buy a house for his family," said Johnson. He then stated that he and the Congressman would organize a walkathon to raise money to buy that house for Johnsons family.
Among the crowd of people who came to pay their final respects to the beloved young man were many young people from the community. Mourners of all ages were reached for comment by The Queens Courier, but all but one, some in tears, refused to speak about Johnson. "What Ill miss most about Tommy is his friendship," a young boy in his mid-teens said, eyes glassy from holding back tears.
Johnson was murdered on Jan. 10 allegedly by 19-year-old Charles Sealey. According to police, Johnsons cousin, Eric Davis, had been beaten by Sealey and his friends in what had started as a dispute over the cousin allegedly dating Sealeys girlfriend. Johnson allegedly went over as a mediator to peacefully discuss the matter with Sealey.
Johnson and his cousins walked away, thinking that the conflict was over. But Sealey was not through, firing two gunshots 150 feet from Johnson. The young man whirled around to see who was shooting at him, and Sealey fired off one final steel capsule, fatally hitting Johnson in the right eye.
After a two-day manhunt for Sealey by the NYPD, the young man, accompanied by his parents, turned himself in at the 101 Precinct in Rockaway. Johnson is survived by his two parents, four siblings, several relatives and countless saddened Rockaway residents as well as the students and teachers at Christ the King High School. Particularly touched by Johnsons death was the communitys youth for whom Johnson had been such an outstanding role model. His high school flag flew at half staff.
Johnson was laid to rest Tuesday in Amityville Cemetery in Long Island in a private ceremony.