Goodbye to a golden CPF legend

Johnny Gold, one of Sector 8’s Community Policing Forum (CPF) patrollers and a pillar in the community, sadly passed away on 30 January.

“Oom Johnny was well-known in the community, loved and respected by his fellow patrollers. He was a reliable and trustworthy individual and we always knew we could count and depend on him,” Sector 8’s CPF chairperson, Henry Carson, said to the News.

Messages of sympathy poured in at the announcement of the sector’s loss and the patrollers immediately decided to have a remembrance patrol as a tribute to their hero.

On evening of 3 February, patrollers gathered and drove quietly through the area as a tribute to their legend and made their way to Oom Johnny’s house where they handed over a signed book from all the patrollers to his family.

Several acquaintances including DA Ward Councillor Annette Fourie and Graham Lowe along with the Sector 8 committee also participated in the silent patrol.

The family joined in on a minute of silence after which a tree was planted in Oom Johnny’s memory.

A second tree was also planted in memory of Cliff van der Berg, a fellow patroller who also passed away a while back.

“Our thoughts are filled with good memories of Oom Johnny and our prayers go out to his wife and family. He was never shy to assist where needed and he was always willing to go the extra mile. His voice was a familiar sound on the radio and his vehicle an icon on the road. If you joined Sector 8 you would quickly get to know his radio call sign. Oom Johnny had a passion for his community and always participated in all CPF related activities. He became a father figure to many of us but unfortunately, due to health reasons, left us too soon,” Henry concluded.

Oom Johnny’s funeral will take place this Friday, 12 February, at 10am in the AFM Church Noordheuwel in 88 Libertas Street.

Related articles:

•A year of success for Sector 8 CPF

•Creature spotted on CPF walk

•CPF Exco elect to work hand-in-hand with police