The Memphis Police Department has announced plans to hold a "Sea of Blue" tribute procession on Wednesday evening in memory of Officer Demetrice Johnson, who was tragically killed in a collision on August 2. The event is meant to solemnly honor the service and sacrifice of the officer who had served with the force for over a year. The gathered fleet of law enforcement vehicles is scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. and will trace a route through the city.
Starting at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church at 7289 Stage Road, the "Sea of Blue" procession will make its way through several major thoroughfares. According to Local Memphis, the assembly will include a march down Highway 64, and a turn onto Appling Road, followed by a path that will weave through the interstate network of I-40 and I-240. To ultimately end past the North Main station where Johnson was assigned, the route includes traversing on Crump Boulevard, Danny Thomas Boulevard, Poplar Avenue, B.B. King Boulevard, and finally Jackson Avenue to North Main Street.
Prior to the "Sea of Blue" on Wednesday, the first viewing is noted to be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A subsequent Thursday viewing from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. is followed by the funeral service, as specified by WREG News. Officer Johnson is set to be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery on Poplar Avenue after the service.
The fatal incident leading to Officer Johnson's death occurred in the early hours when a Nissan Murano collided with an MPD squad car he was in. The impact claimed the lives of both Johnson and Rantavious Johnson—a reported 22-year-old driver who had also been shot prior to the crash. Another officer in the cruiser, identified as Bobby Fields, was critically injured but has since seen an improvement in condition. FOX13 notes that none of the individuals involved in the collision were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
