ALBANY, N.Y. -- Dean Johnson, a young officer with the Albany Police Department, died after crashing his motorcycle in the town of Knox. Johnson was off-duty.

Johnson graduated from the police academy in May.

In a statement, Albany Police Chief Robert Sears remembered Johnson as an incredible asset to the department.

"He was a man who excelled quickly, was always willing to learn and thrived on serving those in need,” said Sears. “He truly possessed the many great qualities that we as a police department and community expect of our police officers."

Johnson had previously worked as an aide to Sen. Jim Tedisco. The senator said, in part: "I knew his life-long dream was to be a police officer and I was so proud to see him graduate from the Albany Police Academy two months ago. My deepest prayers and condolences go out to Dean’s family, his girlfriend Morgan, and many friends. We are devastated by this loss and will miss him very much."