SIMI VALLEY : Dog Handler Named Officer of the Year

A Simi Valley officer known for his prize-winning pooches has been selected by his peers as the city’s top cop.

William Sterling Johnson, 49, has been named Police Officer of the Year for the Simi Valley Police Department. Johnson and his German shepherd companions, Atlas and Charly, have won numerous competitions since he became a canine handler for the department in 1986.

Johnson, who joined the Simi Valley Police Department 13 years ago, also teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation to city employees.

Former Police Chief Lindsey Paul Miller praised Johnson’s work as an officer.

“I was delighted to see that his peers chose him as officer of the year,” Miller said. “He’s one of the most dedicated and hard-working officers I know.”