Oklahoma’s first black Oklahoma Highway Patrol state trooper dies at the age of 79.

Lieutenant Ronnie Johnson was from Oklahoma City and graduated from the 23rd Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in 1968 and retired in 1987.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said in a news release, "Lieutenant Johnson was a trailblazer who lead the way for countless other African American troopers to serve with distinction. The law enforcement community and the entire state of Oklahoma owe him a debt of gratitude for his service, his commitment to law enforcement, and the courage he displayed by being the first on a long and still growing list of African-American state troopers.”

Johnson was one of seven men that graduated in the smallest class of cadets ever to graduate from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy.

A news release from the Department of Public Safety said Lt. Johnson made a significant contribution to public safety over two decades with his service to the citizens.

Highway Patrol Chief, Colonel Kerry Pettingill said in a news release, “In 1968, when Lt. Johnson became a Highway Patrolman, there was still a lot of civil unrest in our nation.   The Civil Rights movement was in full swing and many people were still having trouble with the moral imperative of equality.  Lt. Johnson believed in the law enforcement community and embarked on a long career marked by a determination to overcome the challenges posed in the early years by his race.  He served Oklahoma with courage and distinction and he will be missed,” said Chief Pettingill.

Funeral services are pending.