Johnson gets awards from state, Safe Haven

Jody Johnson of Shawano retired from the Shawano Police Department last month, completing a successful career as a law enforcement officer that began in 1995.

This month, she is the recipient of two awards that honor her law enforcement experience as a school resource officer and her many accomplishments as a volunteer working with domestic abuse victims at Safe Haven Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault of Shawano.

Johnson is one of three people honored this year by the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse. She is also the recipient of Safe Haven’s Behind the Badge Award, a special honor given to first responders.

The Justice Award from the Council on Domestic Abuse honors Johnson for her outstanding accomplishments in promoting safety, empowerment and justice for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

She received the Justice Award during a ceremony at City Hall on Oct. 13. Family members, Safe Haven staff and former police department colleagues joined Johnson at the ceremony, presented virtually by the council as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a statewide observance to raise awareness about the effects of domestic abuse.

Safe Haven staff nominated Johnson for the prestigious Justice Award in honor of her many years of advocacy on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Johnson is a strong advocate for victims of crimes and provides many hours of compassionate assistance within the Safe Haven program. In her role as a school resource officer with Shawano School District, she worked as a liaison and helped bring justice to countless domestic violence survivors while bringing abusers to justice.

Jennifer Laude Bisterfeldt, executive director of Safe Haven, said that Johnson is a tireless advocate who embodies the mission of Safe Haven, which is to encourage a safe community free of physical and sexual violence and emotional abuse through shelter, caring, advocacy, and education. She noted that Johnson works closely with first responders and is a caring liaison with Safe Haven.

Johnson will receive her second award this month, the Behind the Badge award. Staff and board members of Safe Haven chose Johnson for this special award to honor her tireless volunteer efforts on behalf of domestic abuse survivors. The award is scheduled for presentation to Johnson at the Ball of the Badges on Oct. 22 at Shawano Lake County Park.

The hall, a Safe Haven annual event, honors all Shawano County first responders. Although tickets for the event are sold out, Safe Haven is still seeking donations and raffle items to enhance the event. All proceeds benefit Safe Haven, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

As a member of the Safe Haven Board of Directors for 20 years, Johnson helped the agency grow from its inception, worked to raise funds and oversaw multiple expansions, as one of the agency’s strongest allies.

Johnson says that, as a recent retiree, she misses the daily interaction with the school children and her liaison work with families and police officers.

Safe Haven was created in 1989. Bisterfeldt notes that Johnson has volunteered for the organization for many years and worked countless hours in her volunteer capacity. She said that whenever help is needed, Johnson can be relied on to step in and give her time.

The other Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse award recipients are Cheryl Davis, of Wisconsin Rapids, and Sharon Lewandowski, of Madison. Davis is the Courage Award recipient and Lewandowski received the Patricia J. Waschbisch Lifetime Achievement Award.

Statistics provided by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) show that, on a single day in Wisconsin, about 2,500 victims seek assistance from a domestic abuse program. Through strong partnerships between DCF and nonprofit, county and tribal partners, individuals receive specialized trauma-informed care that allows them to heal and become independent.

DCF continues to work to prevent domestic abuse, and educates a range of audiences about the impact abuse can have on families.