From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Feb. 10, 1988:

After more than two decades as Douglas County sheriff, Rex Johnson today announced that he was planning to step down at the end of his current term in December. Undersheriff Loren Anderson, appearing today with Johnson at a press conference, said that he would seek the Republican nomination for the post. The new sheriff was to be chosen in county elections in the fall. “Well, you know, you have to stop somewhere,” said Johnson, 55. “When I announced to run for the first time, I thought I’d be here four years.” He added that the previous year’s retirement of former Police Chief Richard Stanwix, a longtime friend of Johnson, had started him thinking about his decision.