Monday, June 15, 2009

FROM THE US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

In Memoriam
“Today, we have lost a courageous security guard who stood watch at this place of solemn remembrance. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this painful time.” —
President Barack Obama

There are no words to express our grief and shock over the events on June 10, 2009, at the Museum, which took the life of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns. Officer Johns, who died heroically in the line of duty, served on the Museum’s security staff for six years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Johns’ family. We closed the Museum Thursday, June 11, in honor of Officer Johns and our flags will be flown at half mast in his memory for a week, then will be presented to his family.
Bouquets of flowers were left at several places around the Museum in honor of Officer Johns.

These are a portion of those set next to the guard booth on 14th Street.


Condolences and Services
The Museum will send flowers and a gift basket and Museum Director Sara Bloomfield will extend condolences to the family on behalf of the staff. Also, a commemoration will be published in the Washington Post, and a memorial fund for Officer Johns’ Family is being established. Special comment books are being provided at the Museum for members of the public to record their thoughts, and flowers and other items left on the grounds by well wishers are being photographed and collected. We will work closely with Officer Johns’ family as we establish a fitting tribute for our dear colleague in the Museum.

* * * * * *

The funeral for our beloved colleague, Officer Stephen Johns, will take place on Friday, June 19, at Emmanuel Baptist Church 2409 Ainger Place, SE. In his honor, the Museum will be closed until 3 p.m. that day so that security officers, staff, volunteers, interns, and contractors who wish to attend will be able to do so. We will have special hours that day from 3-7 p.m. to accommodate our visitors. Transportation will be provided to and from the Museum and the church. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. and the funeral will follow. Additional details will be provided in the coming days.

The Museum has established a special fund for the benefit of Officer Johns' family. Checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington DC 20024 or forwarded via interoffice mail to Marianne Haggerty. You may also contribute by calling toll free 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466). In the coming days, we will provide a link for on-line donations.

Until further notice, condolence cards may be forwarded to Tanya Barbour, Office of the Chief of Staff.

The Museum has placed an "In Memorium" which will appear in the Saturday and Sunday editions of The Washington Post .

2 comments:

Moonbeam said...

I will pray for Officer Johns family. This is so very tragic and makes me think about life. You never know when you get up in the morning what your day might bring. I truly believe you must grab hold of what makes you happy and just do it, you only have one life.

Churlita said...

That was such a sad and horrible thing. I still can't believe it happened. The killer was so old to be holding onto that much hate and bigotry.