APSO dresses down for good cause

Sheriff Wiley, along with the entire APSO family, dressed in purple clothing on Aug. 20 to honor the life of Monica Johnson, a Geismar woman who was murdered by her husband on Aug. 9.

Jonhson was a victim of domestic violence, and Wiley said he felt the need to call for a visual witness of support for her and allow the APSO family to dress down in purple, which is the color set aside for domestic violence awareness. Wiley took it one step further and asked each employee to make a donation of $5 to give to the surviving victims, Johnson’s two sons, to help offset future expenses.

The APSO family raised over $1,000, even receiving a few donations from others.

Johnson’s husband, David, was arrested immediately after the murder. Ascension Sheriff’s office records indicate a history of domestic violence abuse at the residence. In July, Monica Johnson had obtained a restraining order against David Johnson, and the order was still active at the time of her death.

Domestic violence affects more than 12 million people in the United States each year. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, with young people, ages 16-24, experiencing domestic violence at its highest rates.

Since January, the APSO Domestic Violence division has worked 269 cases dealing with domestic violence incidents.

The sheriff’s office also holds a dress down day in October for domestic violence awareness, which is observed nationally.