When Ken Johnson stopped to help a man lying on the sidewalk, the man suddenly woke up, knocked him to the ground and kicked him unconscious.
An 85-year-old great-grandfather who tried to help a man lying on a Langford sidewalk and ended up getting beaten unconscious says he would stop to help a stranger in need again.
Ken Johnson was making a trip to a hardware store on Veterans Memorial Parkway in the early evening of June 28 when he noticed the man lying on the sidewalk.
He stopped to check the man’s breathing and called 911. A dispatcher told Johnson to roll the man over, but as he was doing so, the man suddenly awoke and started kicking and punching Johnson, knocking the 5-foot-9 senior to the ground and kicking him in the head and lower back.
Johnson lost consciousness and awoke with blood streaming down his face.
“He was quite violent to me,” said Johnson. “There’s not much joy in beating up an 85-year-old, but he persisted, though he probably didn’t even know.”
Johnson was rushed to the hospital with a gash on the top of his head that required seven staples to close, and bruises over his legs, abdomen and back.
The man was apprehended by West Shore RCMP shortly after the attack.
Johnson said he had noticed the man had empty liquor bottles around him, and there were signs of drug use and inhalants nearby.
But he had no idea the man would suddenly awake and unleash an attack.
Asked if he would stop to help a stranger again, Johnson didn’t hesitate.
“My daughter asked me that when she picked me up from the emergency room, and you know, I would do it again,” said the retired contractor and longtime volunteer.
“In this instance, the guy was rather violent, but in another instance, it may be someone who really needs some help,” said Johnson. “When people take these substances, they are in a position of not knowing what the consequences are going to be, so they may recover, but other times they can lose their lives.”
Johnson was honoured by West Shore RCMP Supt. Todd Preston with one of its highest civilian awards, the Officer in Charge Certificate of Appreciation for his “bravery, kindness and compassion.”
Despite his injuries, Johnson was back out in the community volunteering the next day, helping the Maritime Museum at the Crabfest celebration in the Inner Harbour.
“I was quite honoured to receive the award, and it was totally unexpected,” said Johnson.
Johnson said several drivers had stopped as the man, estimated to be in his 30s, ran away with Johnson’s phone. RCMP arrived and asked him for a description of the man and the direction in which he fled, then drove Johnson to Victoria General Hospital for treatment.
Johnson said he has a new appreciation for first responders.
“One can really have some sympathy for those responders who work downtown and respond to so many who are lying unconscious on the streets of Victoria,” he said.
Johnson said he’s still bleeding from the attack and remains sore and bruised, but he’s resolved not to have fear and continues to help people.
“Helping people always entails some risk, no matter the situation, because help can be misinterpreted, which in this case, the gentleman may have been in a hallucinatory state … he may have been in fear of me, which resulted in him getting angry and attacking me.
“I can’t look into his mind, but I can certainly understand the circumstances of how some people respond differently.”
Johnson and his wife of 65 years, Maureen, raised two children and have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, most of whom live on the West Shore.
“I told the RCMP my grandchildren are going to read this with great appreciation,” said Johnson, adding that he hopes everyone can continue showing compassion for those in need.
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