Kirk Leland Johnson was a 26-year-old patrolman with the San Diego Police Department when he was killed on February 20, 1983. He was on duty in his patrol car at about 1:30 a.m. in a deserted San Diego park when a 16-year-old, impersonating an officer in a stolen sheriff’s uniform and driving a stolen patrol car, ambushed him and shot him multiple times in the head and chest.

The case went unsolved for more than a month until another youth who had been with the shooter confessed to his parents at dinner; that confession led to the identification and arrest of the 16-year-old. Although others were involved that night, only the primary suspect was charged. On April 1, 1987, the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and given a sentence of 17 years to life.

Johnson had served two years with the department and was remembered by colleagues and community members as devoted, religious, and committed to serving others. Did anyone have contact with Officer Johnson or information about that night that could shed more light on what happened?