Captain Ron Johnson

On August 14, 2014, five days after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown ignited race riots throughout the city of Ferguson, Missouri, Captain Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol was tasked with the monumental challenge of restoring peace between a hostile African American community and the local police. Johnson, a seasoned law enforcement officer with three decades of experience and an African American himself, approached this task in an unconventional manner; he removed his bullet-proof vest and walked with the protesters.

During the early stages of the Ferguson riots, Johnson's leadership was visibly impactful as he chose to lead with empathy, compassion, and selflessness, acting as a stabilizing and unifying presence amidst the escalating tensions. His approach to the crisis in Ferguson reflected his commitment to what he describes as WORTHY LEADERSHIP™.

In 2018, Johnson founded Lodestone Solution Group, LLC, a firm dedicated to cultivating leaders who embody the principles of empathy, compassion, and selflessness. This initiative builds upon Johnson's experiences and the leadership style he honed during his time in Ferguson.

Johnson also documented his experiences in Ferguson in his memoir, "13 Days in Ferguson," released on August 7, 2018. In this memoir, he provides a detailed account of the challenging thirteen days he spent working to stabilize Ferguson, offering personal insights into the emotional and spiritual trials he faced during this period.

Captain Ronald S. Johnson began his career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol on July 1, 1987, and steadily rose through the ranks, assuming various leadership roles within the organization. In 2017, he was appointed as the Director of the Highway Patrol’s Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, a role focused on fostering better relations between the police force and the community. He retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol on November 1, 2018, after 31 years of distinguished service, during which he received numerous awards for his contributions.

Johnson was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a degree in criminal justice, graduated from the Northwestern University Traffic Institute of Police Staff and Command, and completed a program at the National Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in 2014. He holds certification in police instruction and the development and implementation of Assessment Center exercises designed for command-level staff officers. Throughout his career, he has been an active participant in both Patrol and Community committees.

Johnson and his wife, Lori, have been married for over thirty years and have two adult children. He continues to share his expertise and experiences through public speaking, as demonstrated by his presence at events such as the 2016 AAIM Leadership Conference in St. Louis.