It is a rarity for me to post about the same subject two days in a row, however my thoughts still remain with the death of Officer Johns and this will be pretty brief.
As you are probably aware, the museum closed its doors and lowered its flag to half-staff in honor of Officer Johns, who loved his job at the museum. He was known to as a gentle giant by his family and his coworkers from the museum knew him as a kind and friendly man as well. His last act yesterday was one of kindness as he opened the door for the man who killed him.
He leaves behind his mom, his son, Stephen Jr., and a widow who he had been married to for about a year. If you would like to send a contribution to help out the Johns family, the AJC has set up a fund where 100 percent of the money raised will be passed on. Please be sure to write “Stephen T. Johns Memorial Fund” in the memo line.
American Jewish Committee, Washington Chapter
C/O Melanie Maron Pell
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1201
Washington DC 20005
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Stephen T. Johns, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
I am grateful to be able to donate to Stephen T. Johns’ family through the American Jewish Committee contact provided by Melanie Maron, and thereby honor a hero–a father, son, and husband–who, along with his colleagues, kept even graver consequences from happening at the Holocaust Museum. May no one ever forget the name of Stephen T. Johns, who paid the ultimate sacrifice with his young, precious life, in order to protect others. Donating even small amounts from big hearts–hearts that are sickened and heartbroken by this tragedy and great loss–is something we can do to honor Officer Johns’ memory and to ensure that good works are continued in his name. While nothing can bring Officer Johns back to his family, every generous gesture, when multiplied, can make a world of difference.
I also wonder if a separate college fund for Stephen Johns’ son has been set up, or if there are plans to do so. If anyone has information about this, please let me know. Education has always been a priority for me and it would be a great mitzvah to help give Stephen Johns’ son the opportunity to attend the college of his choice when the time comes. If a fund is established now, by the time he is ready to attend, it could be substantially funded. If all who are touched by this tragedy supported such a fund, even minimally, together we could make a difference in the life of a young man, robbed of so many years with his father.
While nothing can bring Stephen T. Johns back to his family, it would be a privilege to honor him in death with good deeds, as we reach out to those he loved and left behind many, many years too early.
Jane,
Very well said and I know that the Johns’ family will greatly appreciate your donation. Thank you for sharing you for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts here.