Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian was remembered as a fearless and dedicated law enforcement officer during his celebration of life service April 2 at the Choctaw Event Center.
Numerous law enforcement officers from different agencies statewide attended the service.
Sheriff Christian passed away suddenly at home on March 28. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and began his law enforcement career with the Durant Police Department before serving 25 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
In social media posts, his fellow lawmen recalled Christian’s love of foot pursuits, so much so that they would often hear garbled radio transmissions as they tried to locate him mid-chase. In one memorable instance after an intense pursuit on the east side of Durant, his uniform and duty belt were in tatters from jumping fences, but as Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Ronnie Hampton recalled, he always got his man.
In his final decade with the Highway Patrol, Christian was assigned to the Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force with the U.S. Marshals Service, taking on some of the most dangerous criminals with the same tenacity that defined his career. He was elected sheriff in 2016, reelected in 2020 and he did not draw an opponent in 2024.
Undersheriff Joey Tucker, who was appointed sheriff on Monday, spoke during the service and he talked about the impact Christian had on him and the sheriff’s office.
“Today, I stand before you as one of the fortunate ones to be trained and mentored by this exceptional lawman, Johnny Christian,” Tucker said. “When you met Johnny, you had one opportunity to earn his trust, and as State Representative Tim Turner reminded me this week, you quickly knew whether he trusted and liked you or he didn’t.
“Fortunately for me, I earned both of those when we first met back in the early 2000s, as I began my career as a lawman. When Johnny became sheriff in 2016, he had one goal and one goal only: To make this office the best in the state. With his extensive teaching experience and unwavering commitment to excellence, I believe he has achieved just that, transforming this office into one of the finest.”
Tucker recalled that Christian promoted him to undersheriff in 2019 and imparted invaluable lessons while showing the importance of building deputies from the ground up.
“Our deputies progress through the ranks, starting in the jail, and they grow tremendously, embodying his vision of excellence as they move forward,” Tucker said. “Johnny’s policy on school safety significantly changed the way our children attend school in Bryan County. We no longer have to worry about who will be through the door first if violence enters our schools because he selected the best to protect our children, while our children focus on their education.
“With heavy hearts, we all share in the loss of our beloved sheriff. His leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our community have left a lasting impact on us all. He was not just a leader. He was a mentor, a guide, and a steadfast example of strength and integrity. This loss is profound, yet our office will remain strong, just as he taught us.”
Tucker said Christian’s values, lessons and leadership prepared the sheriff’s office to carry on his legacy with honor.
“Although our hearts will never be healed from his loss, we will continue to grow and serve with the same dedication he instilled in us,” Tucker said. “We will never forget or stray from his mission. To the Christian family, thank you for letting us borrow his time for as long as you did. We will deeply miss our sheriff, but his influence will never fade. We must remember to let him rest easy because we’ve got it from here.”
Retired Calera Police Chief Don Hyde Jr. officiated the service and he is Christian’s brother-in-law.
Hyde said that Christian loved his country, his community and was a man of honor whose impact will never be forgotten.
He also spoke of the room in the Christian home called the “saloon,” that was decorated with Civil War memorabilia and items from Christian’s service in the Marines and law enforcement. This was the room where friends gathered.
“I want you to know that what’s represented here today … what I’m speaking and what has already been spoken, is a true testament to the life of my best friend,” Hyde said.
Hyde quoted Matthew 5:4 from the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond spoke and he said that Christian took service seriously as giving back to the community, whether it be Oklahoma at large or his beloved county.
Drummond said that last year, he launched the Oklahoma Law Officer of the Year program to honor law enforcement professionals statewide.
“Johnny submitted Austin Murray who was ultimately selected,” Drummond said. “It was not surprising for me that deputy worked for Bryan County.”
After the celebration of life service, a procession of numerous vehicles then led Sheriff Christian to his final resting place at Highland Cemetery in Durant.
During the service at the Highland Cemetery pavilion, Christian’s widow Teresa, was presented with the American flag that draped Sheriff Christian’s casket. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Honor Guard fired a volley of shots from their service revolvers and a bugler played Taps.
Hyde spoke at the conclusion of the graveside service before Christian was laid to rest.
“For years as a young man, I found comfort in scripture of the Bible. Fitting to this occasion, because of the conversation that I talked about earlier in the service, I am comforted by the 23rd Psalm. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his namesake.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. I have absolutely no doubt in that. Amen?”
Hyde said it is his belief that when you take your last breath here, you take your first breath in the presence of God.
“We’re going to miss him, but boy, can you imagine the reunion of those that have went before, his buddies,” Hyde said. “I’m fairly certain with my Christian belief, there’s no saloon up there. But I don’t know. I mean, what’s the talk about turning water into wine, but we don’t want to go there right now. Family, I love you and I will be there until God takes me home.”
Christian’s service ended with a police radio broadcast by dispatcher Crystal Phillips announcing that his watch was over.
“Sheriff Johnny Christian served as the Bryan County Sheriff since 2016 and also served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 25 years,” Phillips said. “Bryan 1, you made the people that you served with your family. You influenced many with your unending compassion, respect for all people and service in many factions of law enforcement.
“All those you served and all those you served with will remember you. We thank you for your dedication and service to the citizens of Bryan County and for a job well done. He leaves his legacy behind for the Bryan County deputies to carry on. Your watch has ended. Rest easy, we have it from here, sir.”
