Chief Don Johnson was hired by Sunnyvale Public Safety as an officer in November 1979. Chief Johnson attended Police and Fire Academies in 1980 and was certified as a firefighter and police officer upon graduation.  During his firefighting career in Sunnyvale, Chief Johnson was certified as a Driver/ Engineer as well as an Aerial Truck Officer.  As Chief Johnson promoted through the ranks in Sunnyvale held a variety of roles within the police division of the department, and  he served as a Fire Station Lieutenant, a Fire Battalion Chief and finally the Chief of Public Safety for 7 years before coming to Lake Oswego.   

Chief Johnson holds both a Bachelors and Masters Degrees from San Jose State University.