Bristol Township Deputy Police Chief Ralph Johnson passed away Friday morning after a long bout with cancer.

Johnson was promoted to Deputy Chief at an official ceremony in December and was a 37 year veteran of the force.

A  local resident, Johnson was surrounded by his family when he passed on.

At last nights Council meeting, officials said there thoughts were with Johnson and his family prior to the official word of his passing.

In recent years, Johnson had “battled cancer valiantly” sometimes sharing info about the battle in news related e-mail exchanges and phone calls.

Johnson was hired in February 1986 graduating from the Philadelphia Police Academy working patrol until  June of 2000 serving with his K-9 partner “Ice”. Johnson also worked on Narcotics investigations for 12 years, while serving in that capacity he was promoted to Sargeant in 2007 and detached for several years working with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on high profile investigations, returning back to Bristol Twp Police serving as Patrol Sargeant from February 2012 to December 2014, and was appointed “acting” Chief of Police in 2014 serving in that leadership role for a little more than six months and subsequently promoted to Lieutenant in June of 2016.

Over the last few years Johnson has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, officials said.

Services for Johnson have yet to be announced

Chief of Police  Coulton said the following in a statement released Friday.

It is with great saddest to announce the passing of Deputy Chief Ralph Johnson, who passed away this morning surrounded by his loving family.

On June 1, 2015, I came to the Bristol Township Police Department with the task of instituting changes and professionalizing the administration and operations of the police department.Over the course of seven and a half years we have made great strides in those efforts, which would have not been possible without the dedicated assistance of Deputy Chief Johnson.

From day one, Deputy Chief Johnson embraced our plan to instill the change that was required to improve the policing services for the citizens of Bristol Township. Those who knew him know, he could accomplish any task large or small, but for me he was a trusted partner, confidant, and friend.

With Deputy Chief Johnson’s passing he will be remembered as a remarkable individual who poured everything he had into his three decades of law enforcement service to his community, and he will serve as a role model for our future generation of police officers to emulate.

May God Bless Deputy Chief Ralph Johnson and his loving family.