A FAMILY have been left devastated following the death of ‘remarkable’ Chris Johnson.
Former West Midlands Police assistant chief constable (ACC) Chris Johnson died on April 20 at the age of 55 following a ‘long hard battle’ with motor neurone disease.
Chris, who lived in Bromsgrove, had 29 years’ of service at West Midlands Police starting as a PC and then working through the ranks up to ACC.
He had worked in many areas of the force including as the commander of Birmingham and Dudley police units as well as leading force contact, traffic, response and operations which covered a range of specialist teams.
In 2018, Chris was diagnosed with motor neurone disease but vowed to continue fighting crime and serving the public and he was the executive lead for Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games 2022 until his retirement in September 2020.
In 2019 he received a Queen Police Medal in honour of almost three decades of policing. He received the award during a special ceremony in Birmingham attended by family members, the then Home Secretary Sajid Javid and other dignitaries including the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Birmingham Lord Mayor.
On his final day at WMP, Chris completed his fundraising challenge to walk 5,000 steps to represent someone living with MND in the UK.
Despite his degenerative condition, Chris along with his wife Sharon, children Katie and Harry and a network of friends made a huge contribution to fundraise for Primrose Hospice and campaign for more funding for MND research.
In 2021, Chris joined Rob Burrow, Stephan Darby and Doddie Weir to take their MND campaign to 10 Downing Street.
The campaign group demanded the government invest £50m into MND research over five years.
And, later in the year, the investment was confirmed by the government.
Chris’ wife Sharon and his children Katie and Harry have thanked the public for their love and support following Chris’ death.
Sharon said: “Chris fought a long and hard battle with MND. But he was true to his word, and it did not define him.
“As a family, we are absolutely devastated but will continue to join that fight to find a cure for MND to stop other families from going through what we have.”
ACC Claire Bell paying tribute to her colleague and friend said: “Chris is an absolute legend, I was lucky to work closely with him on a number of occasions and to call him a friend and colleague.
"He is one of the most genuine, kind-hearted public servants I have met.
“He taught me many things and inspired me even more – he will be sadly missed by so many but has left an incredible legacy here in West Midlands Police.”
Chief executive officer of Primrose Hospice and Support Centre, David Burrell said it was a ‘privilege’ to support Chris and his family at the centre.
“Chris Johnson was a remarkable man," said Mr Burrell.
“Despite his own immense challenges, Chris, his family and his network of friends and colleagues have made a huge contribution to this community by raising funds to help us support others.
"Chris was also a resolute advocate of Hospice Services never missing an opportunity to talk about his experience.
"His campaigning work to raise the awareness of Motor Neuron Disease and funding for research, typified the selfless, determined, thoughtful man that Chris was.
"I admire his strength and determination to help others throughout his abhorrent illness.
"Our thoughts are with Chris' family at this time."
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