Richard Hayden "Rick" Johnson

Richard "Rick" Hayden Johnson, 69, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025 with daughters Barbara and Kyndel by his side.
Rick was born in Bisbee, Arizona on March 29, 1955. He was a 1973 graduate of Memorial High School. In his youth, Rick was an Eagle Scout. He met the love of his life, Julie, and the two were engaged after only knowing each other for two weeks - truly love at first sight. Rick served 39 years in law enforcement; 26 years at the Evansville Police Department and remaining years at the Vanderburgh County Juvenile Court Office. Rick was highly decorated over the course of his honorable career. Aside from the EPD and VCSO, Rick served in the Civil Defense. In his free time, Rick enjoyed traveling with Julie - especially to the Caribbean and Europe. He would also take his entire family to Florida every summer. Rick had a caring heart and would do anything for anyone. He took great pride in looking after underprivileged youth. Rick strived to help lead troubled children to better lives as he knew how hard it was to overcome childhood hardships from his personal experiences as a child. Rick will be always be remembered as a caring and loving son, father, husband, grandfather, and friend.
Rick is survived by his daughters, Kyndel Craig (Phillip) of Evansville, IN, Barbara Straw (Braden) of Evansville, IN, and Caroline Dudley (Christian) of Sellersburg, IN; son, Shane Johnson (Sarah) of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Natalie and Andrew Craig, Carter and Collins Dudley, Sadie and Sofie Johnson, and Noah Straw; half-sisters, Vickie Carver and Dana Mora; cousins, Lynda Gauger, Joseph Watson, and LeeAnn Eli; and his adopted family: father, Rev. Philip Hoy (Sandra) and siblings, Sherri Haas, Rene Riegle, and Matthew Hoy.
Rick was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Julia "Julie" (Little) Johnson; son, Patrick Lee Johnson; mother, Wanda Smith; brother, Harold Johnson; and adopted mother, Bobbie Hoy.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, March 10, 2025 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 418 North Wabash Ave., Evansville, IN 47712, with Father Lowell Will celebrating. For those unable to attend, you can live stream Rick's funeral mass by going to the St. Boniface Parish YouTube page or St. Boniface Catholic Church - Evansville, IN on Facebook. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery where Police Funeral Honors will be held.
Friends may visit from 12:00 noon until 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Browning Funeral Home, 738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711, and again from 9:00 am until mass time on Monday at St. Boniface.
The family would like to especially thank Bailey and Kamekka of Compassus Hospice, as well as Dawnyel of Vanderburgh County Fire Department for their compassionate care.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Police Foundation, P.O. Box 3114, Evansville, IN 47730.