Fire Chief Eddie Johnson was killed in a motor vehicle accident on October 20, 2014, while responding to the scene of a reported structure fire.

Eddie was the fire chief of the Alton Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a full-time city police officer. He loved his job, and he loved the fire department. Whether it was as a police officer or a fire chief, he loved to help out his community any way he could. The day he died he was on his way to try to help a family save their home. I believe he died doing what he was so passionate about.

Eddie’s hobbies were collecting baseball cards and hot wheel cars. He loved to raise chickens and go to auctions. He also loved NASCAR racing, and his favorite race car driver was Kyle Busch.

I, Venita, was married to Eddie for 24 years. We have three kids, Victoria, Misty, and a son, Jordan. Eddie loved his kids more than life itself.