DSP Major Martin Wilson Johnson, III (Ret.) passed away at his home on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, with his beloved wife and children by his side. He leaves his wife of 72 years, Suzanne Gahan Johnson; his son, Chris Johnson; his daughter, Kelley Dunn, and her husband, Tom; his brother-in-law, John Gahan (Pam); his grandchildren, Kimberley Cooper (Kevin), Taylor Johnson, and Josh Dunn; and great-grandchildren, Kade and Karlee Cooper; cherished niece, Karen Pugh, and nephew, Leslie Kimble. He is preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Brenda Aaron-Johnson; his sisters and brother, Mary Ann, Connie, Jack, and Kathy; and is survived by his brother, Bob, several other nieces and nephews, and his pets, Pippa and LBC.

Born and raised on a large dairy farm near Laurel during the Depression, Martin was the oldest of six children of Martin W., Jr. and Elizabeth Hardesty Johnson. Even as a small child, he was expected to help with chores before leaving for school each day and learned the value of hard work and responsibility at an early age. He enjoyed his involvement in 4-H and continued participating until age 20 when he attended the 4-H National Congress in Chicago, where he was named a 4-H National Award winner – one of eight recipients in the United States. He was an active and popular member of Laurel’s class of 1951, and following graduation, joined his father working on the family farm.

In 1957, Martin became a Delaware State Trooper. He served as Executive Security for Governor Elbert. N. Carvel, until he was awarded acceptance into the prestigious Northwestern School for Traffic Police Administration. Following graduation from the one-year course, he moved his young family back to Delaware and was stationed at DSP Headquarters, where he spent the remainder of his 20-year career, retiring with the rank of Major. He authored many of the traffic laws currently in the Delaware Code and was responsible for establishing the first Accident Reconstruction Team (earning the nickname “Captain Skid Marks”). Following his retirement, he served as the first director of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council for over 39 years. He was a lifetime member of the International Chiefs of Police and the Delaware Police Chiefs Foundation and traveled extensively representing the interests of the Police Chiefs of Delaware.

Martin was a lifelong member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Laurel, where he served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden. He was the breeder of Delaware’s Finest Blue Hen Chickens – the official state bird of Delaware, and he enjoyed caring for his beautiful rose garden. He was also a master woodworker and the creator of Habersham Peddler’s Josiah Avery Handcrafted Furniture, which can be found in homes throughout the U.S. He was a lifelong learner with a passion for discovering new things and engaging with people. Over Martin’s journey of 93 years, he touched many lives with his wisdom, intelligence, humor (he always had a joke or two and a kind word for everyone he encountered), and an unwavering spirit of perseverance.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 600 S. Central Avenue, Laurel, DE 19956, with the Rev. Dr. Jack Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends in the church Parish House prior to the service from 9:30–10:30 a.m. The family requests that flowers be omitted, but if you wish to honor Martin’s memory, please consider memorial remembrances to the church he loved -St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 600 S. Central Avenue, Laurel, DE 19956 – or to Vitas Hospice, 30265 Commerce Dr. Unit 202, Millsboro, Delaware 19966 for their loving and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.