By Guy Page
As a public service, Vermont’s police officers write press releases of arrests, missing persons, accidents, etc.. Many deal with the sad, tragic, all-too-common subject of intoxicated people hitting other people, often family members. There are so many “domestic dispute” reports that most newspapers (including VDC) don’t print many of them. After a while, they all start sounding the same.
But one police officer is doing his part to change that.
St. Johnsbury Police Department Corporal George Johnson’s press releases depart from the canned style taught at the Dragnet Joe Friday School of Cop Speak – “This officer advised the individual to cease and desist” – in favor of a more first ‘you are there’ first-person perspective.
A member of the Vermont National Guard who has served overseas while being employed by STJPD, Johnson was promoted to corporal in January 28, 2020. That day, on a social media post, a St. Johnsbury resident said, “Corporal G. Johnson is #1 Lifesaver in my book. The youth in town think very highly of him as I do and the community.”
Johnson’s police reports are just as accurate and factual as the typical press release, perhaps even more so. What makes them so different, so refreshing, is his ability to give the reader a sense of what it’s like to serve as a police officer in a small-town police department. For example, read his latest work:
“On 08/09/2023 I was working as a uniformed police officer for the town of St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County in the State of Vermont.
“At approximately 2105 hours, a resident of 223 Railroad Street in St. Johnsbury called the St. Johnsbury Police Department. Stating that his neighbor’s Dylan Stapelfeld and a female are in an altercation and that Stapelfeld had thrown a chair. I was also informed by dispatch that Stapelfeld had active conditions of release to include a no Alcohol condition.
“As I responded, I observed a female carrying a newborn infant walking fast on Railroad Street and being pursued by a shirtless Stapelfeld. Stapelfeld appeared to be yelling and angry and the female appeared afraid and upset.
“I stopped and interjected myself between them to prevent him from pursuing her further. I observed blood on Stapelfeld’s chest. I asked him if he was “Dylan” and he lied twice stating that he was not. Stapelfeld’s eyes were bloodshot and watery and his breath smelled of intoxicants. Stapelfeld then tried to walk away and I grabbed his arm to detain him. I asked Stapelfeld how much he had to drink and he replied “I’m going home.” Stapelfeld later provided a breath sample that registered his BAC at .214.
“I asked the female if the blood on Stapelfeld’s chest was hers or his. she replied “His from his finger. He got sent home from work and he’s been causing problems because he’s been drinking.” I later observed blood on the infant’s clothes.
“The female later stated that Stapelfeld had chased her down the road and “He was following me, hitting me as you were pulling up.” It should be noted that Moquin-Johnson had the newborn infant strapped to her chest during this time and in her arms.
“Stapelfeld was arrested and transported to the St. Johnsbury police department. Judge Jiron was contacted and he ordered that Stapelfeld be released with new conditions and a new court date of 08/14/2023.”
There’s so much there – the terrified woman, the [alleged] abusive pursuer, the ‘catch and release’ judicial system. This is part of the job, every day, for the Vermont police officer. Johnson is doing his best to help non-police officers understand.
More of Corporal Johnson’s compelling non-fiction narrative can be read at the St. Johnsbury Police Department blog.