Gov. Stitt Awards State Of Oklahoma Purple Heart To 2 Tulsa Police Officers

Two Tulsa Police Officers receive the first ever State of Oklahoma Purple Heart for their acts of bravery and sacrifice on the job.

Governor Kevin Stitt awarded the late Sgt. Craig Johnson and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan the Purple Heart after both men were shot during a traffic stop last summer. Sgt. Johnson was killed in that shooting.

Gov. Stitt said he’s thankful to be serving a state that truly honors and supports the men and women in law enforcement, and he’s proud to be honoring these two brave men.

He awarded the Purple Heart to Officer Zarkeshan and to Sgt, Johnson’s wife, Kristi.

Stitt thanked both men for their service and sacrifice.

A traffic stop turned into a tragedy in June 2020 when Sgt. Johnson was shot and killed, and Zarkeshan was shot and severely injured.

Zarkeshan spent several months at an out of state rehab facility and still is recovering.

“We all sleep under a blanket of freedom courtesy of the one percent of this country that suits up every single day, willing to defend and pay the ultimate sacrifice for the other 99%,” Gov. Stitt said.

Oklahoma City Police Officer Zachary Barby was also given the Oklahoma Purple Heart for when he was injured trying to stop a murder suspect last year.