chicagoareafire.com

To honor a longtime Chicago firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty and to pay tribute to all first responders, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has introduced H.R. 3085, a bill to rename the post office in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community after Chicago Fire Capt. Herbert “Herbie” Johnson. The 32-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department and resident of Chicago’s Morgan Park community died last year while fighting a house fire on the city’s South Side.

“Capt. Herbie Johnson, like so many of our first responders, served heroically and selflessly. His passing and the outpouring from the community where he lived and served was tremendously moving and inspiring,” Rep. Lipinski said. “My legislation to rename the Mount Greenwood Post Office makes sure that he will never be forgotten.

An outgoing, caring and dedicated public servant, Capt. Johnson was popular and well-liked throughout the Mount Greenwood, Beverly, and Morgan Park communities on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Almost every year he drove the fire truck down Western Avenue for the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2007, he received the state’s highest award for firefighters, the Illinois Medal of Honor, for rescuing several children from a burning apartment.

On Nov. 2, 2012, Capt. Johnson died while battling flames in the attic of a two-story home in Chicago’s Englewood community. He was 54 years old. Capt. Johnson was survived by his wife of 28 years, Susan, two sons, Thomas and Michael, and a daughter, Laurie.

Following the tragedy, Rep. Lipinski’s office reached out to the family, neighborhood officials and leaders, as well as the Chicago Fire Department, to discuss commemorating Johnson’s sacrifice and the bravery displayed each day by the men and women in our police and fire departments. [The] legislation would designate the Mount Greenwood Post Office, at 3349 W. 111^th St., the “Captain Herbert Johnson Memorial Post Office Building.”

Capt. Johnson came from a family of public servants. Three of his brothers are Chicago police officers. A sister is a retired Chicago police officer. Another brother is a Chicago firefighter. Capt. Johnson served in almost every Chicago neighborhood as a firefighter, but his heart belonged to the Southwest Side.

“Herbie Johnson was a great friend, an admired and respected leader in the Chicago Fire Department, and a beloved figure in our neighborhood,” said 19^th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea. “Thanks to Congressman Lipinski and this legislation, Herbie’s incredible heart, quick wit, and unique sense of humor will be in our hearts and minds forever.”

Capt. Johnson was active in many causes dear to the Chicago Fire Department. In addition to serving as a mentor to many firefighters, Johnson taught more than 1,000 recruits as an instructor at the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy. After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, he volunteered with the rescue efforts in New York City. He also was known to cook for various charity events and offer his time at a camp founded by a friend for young burn victims — the “Bucks for Burn Camp.”

A copy of Rep. Lipinski’s bill and a letter of support from the International Association of Fire Fighters are attached.