About Everett T. "Pete" Johnston
Everett T. "Pete" Johnston's devotion to law enforcement spurred him to set aside the comforts of early retirement and seek the office of Sheriff in the County of Greene, where he intends to live permanently.
Pete graduated from James Blair High School in Williamsburg, Virginia and attended a semester at William and Mary before enlisting in the United States Army at the height of the Vietnam War. Johnston attended Flight school in Fort Walters, Texas, Fort Rucker, Alabama and Fort Hunter-Stewart, Georgia. He emerged as an AH-1G "Cobra" Attack Helicopter Pilot with the rank of Warrant Officer. While serving in Vietnam Pete Johnston was awarded several decorations including 26 Air medals, a Bronze Star, Army Commendation and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Everett T. "Pete" Johnston (left) with fellow Greene County Sheriff Department Officers in late 70's.
Pete began his career in law enforcement in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1977 when he went to work for Sheriff George W. Bailey at the Albemarle County Sheriff's Department. During his tenure there Pete attended and graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from Piedmont Virginia Community College with a degree in "Police Science." When the Sheriff's Department split into separate Police and Sheriff's Offices in 1985, Pete relocated to Key Largo, Florida, to join a larger Department.
Within 2 years Pete Johnston was selected as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and in his third year was promoted to Sergeant. While a Deputy in Monroe he attended and graduated from The University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute's Command Officers' Development Course and later from the F.B.I.'s Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Pete also served as a member of the Sheriff's Office Dive Team and the Bomb Squad.
In 2002 Pete Johnston retired as a Lieutenant from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Key Largo, FL after a combined total of more than 25 years as a law enforcement officer.
