Community pays tribute to fallen firefighter hero Herbert Johnson
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By Darlene Hill, FOX 32 News reporter - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
More than a thousand firefighters from Chicago, surrounding communities, and states paid tribute to Captain Herbert Johnson Wednesday.
A Chicago Fire Department truck sat in front of St. Rita's shrine on the Southwest Side with its ladder extended mid-air and the roar of its engine sounding, saluting a fallen brother.
"He was a fun-loving guy. Everyone wanted to be wherever he was," says Norm Olsen.
"He was a great man. Someone said it the best when they said he was larger than life. It's true," says Lt. Pat Ward.
Johnson had been part of the Chicago Fire Department family for 32 years. He died Friday evening after battling a blaze in Gage Park. That day, he was assigned to Engine Company 123, but works all over the city and touched so many lives.
"He was a great guy. He was one of my instructors when I was in the academy. Fun loving guy," Ret. Captain Leslie Noy says of Johnson.
Johnson comes from a public service family. He has brothers and sisters who work with the Chicago Fire and Police Departments. These men and women say they take their oath seriously and when of them dies, the rest are left to mourn and continue their work.
His funeral will be held Thursday, at St. Rita of Cascia Chapel on the Southwest Side.
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