September 23, 2010

Flags lowered to honor firefighter

Under a proclamation signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the United States flag and the Illinois flag are at half-staff at all State of Illinois facilities in honor of a Hinsdale firefighter who died earlier this week after collapsing.

Flags are to be flown at half-staff immediately until sunset, Friday, Sept. 24, in honor of Deputy Chief Mark Johnson of the Hinsdale Fire Department.

Johnson, 55, of LaGrange Park, died Monday, Sept. 20. Reports say Johnson, a 24-year veteran of the department, died after collapsing at the fire station while taking part in a physical fitness session in the workout room. Johnson joined the department as a firefighter in 1986 and rose to ranks of lieutenant and captain before being promoted to deputy chief in 2008.