Union County District Attorney Peter Johnson remembered by friends, colleagues

Justin Strawser and Marcia Moore, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
Updated ·4 min read

Oct. 24—LEWISBURG — Friends and colleagues expressed their grief and condolences on Monday following the death of longtime Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson at age 68.

Johnson died Saturday a few months before his planned retirement. He served in the elected position for nearly 28 years and would have finished his seventh, four-year term as a Republican at the end of this year.

"Pete Johnson has been a trusted friend of mine since I was first elected in 2004," said Union County Commissioner Preston Boop. "He was helpful as a mentor to me in my early years as a commissioner. In 2005, when I learned about and championed treatment drug court, Pete Johnson was one of the strong voices who stepped up and supported that idea. He helped to get that started. I was appreciative of that support."

Johnson had a "listening ear" as Boop worked with him on re-entry programs and treatment court, Boop said.

"He was a personal friend and someone I will truly miss," said Boop.

Johnson began his career with the district attorney's office as an assistant prosecutor in 1991 under then-District Attorney Graham Showalter. He ran and won the election in 1995 to succeed his boss, who retired.

"Our justice system and our community have lost a dedicated, compassionate and talented human being," said Union County Commissioner Stacy Richards. "My deep condolences to his family, colleagues and friends."

A statement from the 17th Judicial District office was also released about Johnson's passing.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the former district attorney of Union County, D. Peter Johnson, who served our community with dedication for a significant period of time. His contributions to our county will be remembered and appreciated," read a statement from the 17th Judicial District office.

"Having served as the judge in Union County for the past one and a half years I had the privilege of observing his courtroom dedication," Union-Snyder President Judge Lori Hackenberg said.

Said county Judge Michael Piecuch, "I've known Pete for many years and this is a loss for Union County. I'm honored to have had him as a mentor and as a friend."

Under state law, the position of district attorney may be filled by the county judges but they have deferred an appointment since an election will be held in less than one month.

Seeking to replace Johnson are Union County First Assistant District Attorney Brian Kerstetter and Robyn Zenzinger, the First Assistant District Attorney in Northumberland County.

"He was more than just a colleague, a mentor, my boss, he was a friend," said Kerstetter of Johnson. "He was a fierce advocate for crime victims."

The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) issued a statement following Johnson's death. Johnson was a former president of the PDAA.

"We are saddened to hear of the passing of our colleague, D. Peter Johnson. The people of Union County will remember Pete for his professionalism in office, his dedication to crime victims, and his service to the community.

"We will remember Pete as a friend," the organization wrote. "He was elected in 2014 as president of PDAA, helping the association advance child protection laws, fund Child Advocacy Centers, and create a statewide prescription drug return and disposal program. He was elected in 2017 as president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute, the PDAA's educational and training arm. He also served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee.

"Pete was committed to fulfilling PDAA's mission to pursue justice and adhering to the prosecutor motto to 'do the right thing, for the right reasons.'"

Brian Ulmer, the chief public defender of Union County, worked as a public defender for more than 21 years. He said he has "quite a few stories" about Johnson.

"As you might imagine, we had many squabbles inside the courtroom," said Ulmer. "Pete was an outstanding lawyer and a very zealous advocate for the commonwealth. The citizens of Union County were fortunate to have him. Outside the courtroom, he was a good friend who lit up when talking about his family. Pete was a remarkable and inspirational man.

This is truly the end of an era."

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz said Johnson will be "greatly missed by all who knew him. He is the longest continuously serving district attorney in the state, and he was devoted to prosecuting criminals and making sure Union County was safe."

Mifflinburg Police Chief Jeffrey Hackenburg said, "It's hard to put into words what a great guy Pete was, in addition to what a remarkable public servant he was.

"He was one of the most outspoken advocates for victims' rights I've ever known," he said.

"There was never any animosity between his office and any of the police officers in Union County, the police chief said.

"You don't see too many district attorneys anymore who stay and win reelection as many times as he did. There's no doubt in my mind he could have won a seat on the bench if he wanted to, but he was happy in his position. Pete was both respected professionally and loved personally. He was one of a kind and I will miss him tremendously."

Staff Writer Francis Scarcella contributed to this report.