Deputy Brad Johnson honored with bridge renaming

A glimmer of hope returned Thursday morning for family, friends, and coworkers in Bibb County. The Alabama Highway 25 bridge over U.S. Route 82 has been renamed the Deputy Brad Johnson Memorial Bridge.He was shot in the line of duty exactly one year ago.The last 365 days have been hard for those who knew and loved Johnson. Now that his name is next to the bridge, it's a reminder of who the person was behind the badge."I think of Brad sitting in heaven and tell me, 'Mom, that is so cool, I like that,'" said Johnson's mother Nancy Johnson.While seeing his name physically printed on the sign doesn't mean his absence is any easier. There were tears shed during the dedication ceremony."I’m very upset, and it’s really emotional," said Lana Johnson, his daughter. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13 She relies on those closest to her to get through the hard moments."Some days, I’m proud of all the things that have been accomplished since his death. Then the selfish part of myself becomes sad because I miss my person," said Angela Mims, his fiance.Chris Poole was Johnson's partner in law enforcement; he was also shot during the incident. The two were also friends. Remembering what happened is something still hard to understand.Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube"It was hard. I was shot in the head as well. I kept questioning, 'How’s Brad? How's Brad?'" Poole said. "Deputy Brad Johnson was an amazing man, and the best job he ever had was an amazing father."State legislators have also passed the Deputy Brad Johnson Act, which reduces the number of days off a sentence an inmate can accrue, and it also prohibits "good time" off for any inmate if they commit serious violations in prison. Authorities say Johnson and Poole were shot by an inmate who was released from prison early for good time.