In the volunteer firefighting community, Roger Johnson will forever be remembered as a legend.
During a career that spanned more than 50 years, Johnson filled a variety of positions both locally and at the state level.
While his job title changed over time, Johnson’s mission always held true — promoting public safety and advocating for his fellow firefighters.
He died April 16 after a four-month battle with COVID-19.
Johnson — who would often go to fire scenes throughout the county and take photos that he shared with The Republic — felt strongly it was his duty to keep volunteers in the know with anything that was going on in firefighting.
Before working for the state, Johnson was chief of the East Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, known today as Columbus Township Fire and Rescue.
Johnson later served as Indiana’s state fire marshal from 2005 to 2008 under former Gov. Mitch Daniels. Upon accepting the job, his first priority was to promote increased training and safety among Indiana’s 27,000 volunteer and career firefighters, including creating the Indiana Fire Academy.
On top of that, Johnson served for seven years as president of the 3,500-member Indiana Firefighters Association. He held that position until reluctantly resigning after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in August 2014.
Johnson’s half-century of service earned him the Sagamore of the Wabash award in 2016. With the award, then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence wrote a letter to Johnson telling him he was a great example for Indiana’s next generation of firefighter leaders.
“It is your drive to succeed, your devotion to duty, loyalty to your community, and desire to ensure the safety of all that has built your lifelong firefighting career and legacy,” the former vice president wrote to Johnson. “You truly are a hero.”
We join the community in mourning the loss of Johnson and look forward to the celebration of life that’s to be held in the future.
