Friends rally to help Johnson family
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Brenda Sommer For Dad Tommy Johnson Jr. greets a guest at the door at Saturday's fundraiser for his father, Tommy Johnson Sr., a well-respected local lawman injured in a riding accident. Johnson Jr. is wearing one of the personalized T-shirts worn by family members during the event, held at Muldoon's Saloon.

Saturday's beautiful sunny skies and mild temperatures made a perfect setting for Saturday's fundraiser for lawman Tommy Johnson Sr., an event which netted major cash.

Mike Ryan of Ryan Services, an event's organizer, said final figures aren't completely compiled, but the event netted "probably around $160,000 total."

"It went well," Ryan said. "I was tickled pea green."

About half the money was brought in during a fundraising auction, while the rest of the money came in through various raffles, he said.

The event began in the afternoon and included a stew supper and dance, all held at Muldoon's Saloon.

Johnson is a Special Ranger who hunts cattle rustlers and thieves, a job he took on after retiring from his career as a game warden with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Johnson, who has been a Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association ranger since January of 2005, was severely injured Nov. 30 during a practice roping session near Victoria, when his horse spooked and threw him. He is currently in a rehabilitation center in Sugar Land.

The benefit was held to help the family with medical expenses.

"I think everybody ought to just sit back and feel good about it," Ryan said of the event's success. "I think it speaks well for Tommy. He has a lot of friends, and that's what it takes."