Celebrating the Retirement of Officer Darren "D-Love" Johnson

K9 Extraordinaire – A Legacy of Service

Retiree with K9
Retirement Celebration

Join us as we honor an exceptional career of protecting our nation and serving our communities.

🎉 Celebration Details

📅 Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
⏰ Time: 1700 (5:00 PM)
📍 Location: German American Club of Louisville
👔 Attire: Casual (Ceremony is formal)

Come celebrate the remarkable achievements and lasting impact of a distinguished career in government service.

🏆 A Legacy of Service

With 37 years and 10 months of dedicated government service — including a long tenure with U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security — Darren Johnson has shown unwavering commitment to protecting the nation. His leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on colleagues, communities, and the mission of securing America’s borders.

🏨 Lodging Spotlight

ATTENTION RAMSTEIN ALUMNI

Derby City Gaming Hotel is the recommended place to stay — a majority of attendees will be there. Call 502-961-7636 and use “Johnson Retirement Party” when you speak to a human to receive a $25 casino play credit. Booking online will NOT include the credit.

The hotel is connected to the casino and is open 24 hours, with a full bar and a stage featuring live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Rooms are blocked — please book when you can. If it goes over, more rooms can be added.

P.S. This hotel/casino is located 1.6 miles from the venue and 3.6 miles from Louisville Intl Airport.

📜 Career Highlights

Accomplishments & Awards

  • Distinguished/Expert firearms qualifications (1988–2026)
  • USAF Top Dog competitions: 1st (Base-wide, 1989); 2nd (USAFE, 1990)
  • USAF Performance & Achievement/Commendation medals (1992–1994)
  • Knights of Columbus “Blue Coat” Award (1994)
  • Good Conduct, Longevity & Outstanding Unit Awards (1988–1994)
  • U.S. Customs Millennium Tour of Duty (1999–2000)
  • Founding Member/Employee of DHS (2003)
  • CBP Blue Eagle Award (2014)
  • Unit Citation Awards ×5 (2008–2026)

Memberships

  • Dogs Against Drugs & Crime; National L.E. K-9 Assoc. (2001)
  • American Legion (2008)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars — Lifetime (since 2010)
  • Guns of Justice L.E. Motorcycle Club (2009)
  • German American Club (2025)

🏆 Career Journey

United States Air Force

United States Air Force (USAF)

1988 – 1994 · Built the foundation of service, discipline, and mission focus.

USAF Badge
U.S. Secret Service

U.S. Secret Service

1995 – 1997 · Protection & investigations in support of national leadership.

Secret Service Badge
U.S. Customs Service

U.S. Customs Service

1997 – 2003 · Trade enforcement and border security—the legacy agency that later integrated into DHS.

U.S. Customs Service Badge
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

2003 – 2026 · Frontline homeland security—K9 operations, leadership, and mentorship.

CBP Badge

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Venue

German American Club of Louisville

Event Location

📍 German American Club

Address: 1840 Lincoln Ave, Louisville, KY 40213

Website: gaclouisville.org

Map: Open in Google Maps

About the Venue

The German American Club offers a welcoming banquet hall, an outdoor beer garden, and on-site bar service—perfect for the ceremony and the celebration that follows.

  • Banquet Hall & stage
  • Outdoor patio/beer garden
  • Full-service bar
  • Free on-site parking

Need directions? Use the Google Maps link above, or rideshare to the main entrance for easy drop-off.

Willkommen Celebrating German Traditions Biergarten Gathering Place Biergarten Entrance Veranda Biergarten Seating Awaits Biergarten Courtyard View Celebrating Culture Inside Honoring German Heritage Never Forget Our Heritage Biergarten Taps Await

Hotels & Lodging

Stay near the celebration

Recommended Stays

Nearby Hotels

Wingate by Wyndham Louisville Fair and Expo

3200 Kemmons Drive, Louisville, KY • ~2.1 miles to venue

Free breakfast • Pet Freindly • Group-friendly

View on Maps Book / Group Code

Candlewood Suites Louisville Airport

1367 Gardiner Lane, Louisville, KY • ~1.1 miles to venue

Kitchenette • Laundry facilities • Market

View on Maps Book / Group Code

Holiday Inn Express Louisville Airport Expo

1921 Bishop Lane, Louisville, KY • ~1.9 miles to venue

Pool • Fitness Center • 1 on-site restaurant

View on Maps Book / Group Code

Derby City Gaming Hotel

4520 Poplar Level Rd, Louisville, KY • ~1.9 miles to venue

Gaming • Restaurants • Live Entertainment

View on Maps Book / Group Code

Need more options or a group block? Contact us and we’ll add details here.

Golf Outing Sign-Up

Celebrate with a round of golf ⛳

Golf Registration

🏌️ Golf Outing Details

Date: Friday, May 22, 2026

Time: [Time TBD]

Location: Oxmoor Country Club

Attire: Golf Casual

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