05/26/2026
To Whom It May Concern,
It is my honor to write this letter regarding Steven Johnson and his service as Chief of Police for the Villages of Norwalk and Wilton.
During my time serving as Village President of Norwalk and as Chairman of the Police Commission, I had the opportunity to work closely with Chief Johnson for approximately 6 years. In all of my years involved in local government and public service, I can honestly say there has not been a finer leader for our police department or our community.
Chief Steven Johnson was deeply respected not only by the officers he worked alongside, but also by the citizens he proudly served. He possessed a rare ability to balance professionalism, leadership, compassion, and firm dedication to the law and the Constitution of the United States. He understood that policing was not simply about enforcing laws — it was about protecting people, building trust, and strengthening the community.
As Chief of Police, Steven was not a chief who sat behind a desk. He was a working chief who spent time out in the communities he served. He regularly checked on local businesses, spoke directly with citizens, and asked community members what they would like to see improved within their police department and their communities.
It was common to see Chief Johnson walking the streets of Norwalk and Wilton, communicating with residents, listening to concerns, and making himself approachable and available to the public. He believed strongly that a police department should work alongside the people it serves, not separate from them. That kind of visibility and involvement earned him tremendous respect throughout both communities.
Steven strongly believed in community-oriented policing, which is not always commonly seen in leadership positions. He understood the importance of building trust, relationships, and open communication between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. His leadership style focused on being present, approachable, and actively involved in the community rather than remaining distant from it.
Steven worked exceptionally well with the youth in our communities and was admired by many families for the positive influence he had on local children and young adults. He believed strongly in mentoring and leading by example. He also played a major role in training and guiding other officers, helping develop professionalism, confidence, and integrity within the department.
Chief Johnson also worked extremely well with surrounding law enforcement agencies and departments throughout the area. He understood the importance of cooperation, communication, and building strong working relationships between agencies in order to better protect the public and serve the community effectively.
In addition, Steven’s grant-writing abilities helped secure funding and equipment that benefited the department while saving taxpayers money. He always looked for responsible ways to improve public safety without placing unnecessary burdens on the citizens of our communities.
Chief Johnson was approachable, dependable, and well-liked throughout the community. The respect shown toward him by residents spoke volumes about the kind of leader and person he was. Even during difficult situations, Steven remained calm, fair, and committed to doing what was right.
In my opinion, Steven Johnson would still be serving as Chief of Police today had the two villages been able to come together on a long-term health insurance and retirement package that would have allowed him to remain in that role. Losing him was a tremendous loss to our communities.
Without hesitation, I can say that Steven Johnson dedicated his life to public service with honor and integrity. Our communities were safer and stronger because of his leadership. Any organization or community would be fortunate to have him serving in a leadership role.
Sincerely,
Mike Wiedl
Former Village President of Norwalk
Chairman of the Police Commission
