Bruce Johnson (journalist)

Professional career

Johnson began his career at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. He later worked at WUSA 9, the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C. For over 30 years, he has served as an anchor and reporter covering Washington D.C. city government and urban affairs issues in the United States.

Johnson's news coverage spans notable stories, including the 1982 Washington Metro train derailment that killed three people and injured twenty-five more. Johnson covered the 1977 Hanafi Siege where twelve gunmen seized three Washington D.C. buildings, held 149 hostages and killed a radio journalist and police officer. The gunmen eventually released all hostages after a 39-hour standoff.

In the early 1990s, he reported documentaries for WUSA 9's "Capitals of the World." His special assignments took him to Moscow, Paris, Stockholm, Budapest, Tokyo, Dakar, and Bangkok.

In 2010 he traveled to Port-Au-Prince to cover the earthquake and aftermath in Haiti.

Johnson has extensively covered former D.C. Mayor and former councilman Marion Barry, including his arrest at the Vista Hotel for smoking crack cocaine, his prison sentence and return to an elected political office. In 2012, Johnson provided reports and analysis on the resignation of Harry Thomas, Jr., Washington D.C. Ward 5 Councilmember. Thomas pleaded guilty to falsifying his tax returns and misappropriating government funds. Also in 2012, Johnson covered the resignation of D.C. City Council Chairman Kwame Brown, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud as part of a federal probe into D.C. corruption.

Publications

In 1992, Johnson suffered a heart attack while covering a news story in Washington, D.C. He had confronted drug dealers working next to a summer jobs sign up hosted by D.C. mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly. He felt a tightening in his chest and his cameraman drove him to a local firehouse. Firefighters transported Johnson to the hospital where doctors informed him that he had suffered a near-fatal heart attack. He was 42 years old. Chronicling his recovery, he authored the book Heart to Heart featuring the recovery and comeback stories of 11 young heart attack survivors. The book was also published by the People's Medical Publishing House in China.

Johnson authored a second book in 2012 entitled All Or Nothing, The Victor Page Story, which documents the life of former NBA prospect Victor Page.

Awards and recognition

Johnson has been honored by many organizations as part of his journalist and volunteer work in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. In 2003, Johnson was voted into the Society of Professional Journalists' Hall of Fame, when the D.C. City Council recognized Johnson in 2003 for being one of the nation's best urban affairs and investigative journalists. In 2007, Johnson won a local Emmy for his report on repairs at the Duke Ellington School and has won a total of 19 Emmy awards throughout his career. Johnson also received the Doctor's National Award from the Association of Black Cardiologists in 2011.

Advocacy

After his near-death experience, Johnson now advocates for people to become healthier in order to prevent heart attacks. His efforts and those of his producers resulted in a three-part television series that won national recognition from the American Heart Association. After his recovery, Johnson began long-distance running and completed a 26.2 mile Marine Corps Marathon.

Personal life

Johnson is married with three adult children and three grandsons. He enjoys road biking and practices yoga.