OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, today in the House passed the Sergeant Craig Johnson Act, which amends the accessory to murder statute.

Senate Bill 6 is named after Sgt. Johnson, who was killed while conducting a traffic stop in Tulsa in 2020. The suspect in the case fled the scene with the assistance of a friend. The friend’s accessory to murder charge was changed as his alleged aid to the suspect came before Sgt. Johnson died.

The bill modifies the definition of accessories by providing that a person may be accountable for accessory to murder if the person knew or reasonably should have known that the conduct committed upon the victim could foreseeably result in the death of the victim.

“This bill is about ensuring justice is served on all parties that take part in an action that results in a murder,” Ford said. “We can never get Sergeant Johnson back for his family or his police department, but we can ensure good comes from his selfless act of service to our state and the ultimate sacrifice he paid.”

Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the Senate author of the measures.

“Our law enforcement brother made the ultimate sacrifice and with Senate Bill 6, it closes a gap and allows justice to prevail.  I am honored to be the principal author in memory of our fallen hero, Sergeant Johnson.”

SB 6 passed with a vote of 75-17. It was amended in the House, so it now moves back to the Senate for final approval.