Firefighter Killed In Friday Night Blaze Hailed As "Larger Than Life Person"

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 3, 2012 4:00PM

Captain Herbert Johnson (left), 54, was promoted to promoted to the rank of Captain by Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago (right), August 10, 2012. (Fire Media Affairs)

Chicago firefighters are mourning the loss of Captain Herbert Johnson, who was the first firefighter killed in the line of duty since 2010 Friday night.

Johnson and another firefighter became trapped in a "flash over," or "backdraft," inside a house fire at 2315 W. 50th Pl. Johnson suffered second- and third-degree burns, went into cardiac arrest, and could not be revived. A 33-year veteran of the Fire Department, Johnson was promoted to captain in August. he was awarded the Medal of Honor by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2007, the highest award given to firefighters by the state of Illinois.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Fire Commissioner Ray Orozco both praised Johnson. Emanuel said, He touched everybody that ran into contact with him. He was a larger than life person, and it was beyond the Chicago Fire Department. His work on behalf of Chicago Fire Department. in New York, for 9/11, is legendary.” Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 President Tom Ryan said Johnson "is everything the Chicago Fire Department is about."

"He was a shining example of what public service is. He will be greatly missed. Both his family at the fire department and his family at home are mourning the loss of a truly great guy, and our hearts and our souls and our prayers go out to his family at this time of their need."