Johnson announces relocation, resignation as police chief

Brad and Kierin Johnson

Willow Park Police Chief Brad Johnson announced his resignation as Willow Park Police Chief effective Feb. 3.

“My folks married and met in Kerrville, Texas in 1953 and moved away,” Johnson told The Community News. “In 1972 or so they bought a home overlooking the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. It was going to be a retirement residence.”

Before his parents had an opportunity to move and enjoy their retirement in Kerrville, his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. While his mother was in good health, both parents moved into an assisted living facility in Dallas so his father could be cared for and the couple could remain together.

On Sept. 17 Johnson’s father passed away.

“Our goal has been to get mom out of Dallas and give her an opportunity to live what’s left of the dream,” Johnson said. But his mom didn’t really want to move into the somewhat isolated house on the river.

Instead, Johnson and his siblings found an assisted living facility in Kerrville where his mother will live. He said he and his wife, Kierin, prayed about it, and decided to purchase the house on the river.

“Mother will be about three miles away from us,” he said.

“I’ve been here a long time,” Johnson said about his home in Willow Park. He built a house in 1990.

Spending 25 years with the Fort Worth Police Dept., Johnson served on the Willow Park Planning & Zoning Commission, Willow Park City Council, and served one term as mayor. He became police chief nine years ago.

Johnson’s wife, Kierin, is court coordinator in Parker County Court at Law 2, and has also submitted her resignation.

“It’s not something we planned on,” Brad Johnson said. “We’re going to ride off in the sunset together.”