In Memoriam: Stephen T. Johns

In our synagogue this Shabbat, we remembered Stephen T. Johns, the security officer in the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC who died in the line of duty after being shot and killed in the June 10 shootout with an avowed white supremacist who opened fire at the museum entrance.

One of our congregants, Nessie, works as a volunteer at the Holocaust Museum. She was working at her desk when the attack occurred. Today she came up to the bimah and said Birkat Hagomel - the traditional Thanksgiving Blessing recited by one who has survived a dangerous situation[1]. Nessie, a Holocaust survivor, then spoke about the traumatic experience and said a few words in memory of Officer Johns.

Nessie recounted Officer Johns' warm greeting at the museum entrance that morning. Never could she have imagined that would be the last time she spoke with the tall, friendly security guard. (According to a Washington Post report, he was nicknamed "Big John," for he was well over 6-feet tall.) Nessie recalled his constant courtesy and friendliness. Nessie then went to the department where she does volunteer work and immersed herself in her duties.

Suddenly, while working at her desk, Nessie heard shots. They were so loud and close that some employees thought a bomb had exploded. It was confusion and mayhem. People scrambled under their desks. Nessie hid under her desk with a co-worker. In a voice laden with emotion, Nessie described how the co-worker pushed Leslie deep under the table and laid down in front of her, saying "You lay down behind me. If he comes into this room, I should go, not you. You survived the Holocaust I won't let you go like this."

But thanks to 39-year-old Stephen Johns and his fellow security officers, the supremacist-terrorist was not able to hurt Nessie or any other visitor or employee in the museum. The officers returned fire, hitting the home-grown terrorist James von Brunn and stopping the rampage before it could develop into a full-blown massacre.

Officer Johns died saving the lives of hundreds of innocent people. May his memory be a source of blessing for his family and friends. Let this be a reminder to all that the fight against racism, bigotry and supremacy (of any kind - white, Jewish, etc.) must continue at full throttle.

The Washington Post reports that three funds have been created for the family of Johns, who had a 6-year-old son:

• Checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW, Washington D.C. 20024. Contributions can also be made by calling 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or going to the museum's Web site.



• Wackenhut, Johns's employer, asks that contributions be made by check or money order payable to Zakia Christina Johns in care of WSI Wachovia, 4440 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410.



• Checks payable to the American Jewish Committee, with "Holocaust Museum Memorial Fund" on the memo line, should be mailed to: American Jewish Committee Washington Chapter in care of Melanie Maron Pell, 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 1201, Washington D.C. 20005.

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1. Blessed are you, God, King of the Universe, who bestows good things upon the guilty, who has bestowed every goodness upon me.

According to the Artscroll Commentary, the term "guilty" is used not in the sense of wickedness but in recognition of the fact that the grateful person may not have been worthy of Divine protection.