Your purchase supports our mission to honor America’s fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues, and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.
Search
Close this search box.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Roll of Honor

Training Officer
Age: 57
Year of Death: 2019

Johnnie W. Jessie

Johnnie W. Jessie was born in Adair County on March 7, 1962. He departed this life on March 21, 2019. Johnnie was raised and lived his life in Green County. At age 12, he began working on a farm located in lower Gabe, Kentucky. He worked on this same farm until the time he became ill. Besides his love of farming, he knew at a young age that he wanted to become a firefighter. As a child, he placed a sticker of a fire truck in his home, and it is still there to this day.

As a young man, he worked with Summersville, Campbellsville, and Green County Volunteer Fire Departments. Later in life, he became the captain and training officer at Green County Fire and Rescue, Unit 41. He also worked in Fort Knox as a paramedic, where he retired and later became a paramedic for Green County EMS. Throughout his life, he was a dispatcher for Greensburg and Taylor County E911. In addition to these jobs, Johnnie worked as a bus driver for the Green County School Systems and was their training officer. Near the end of his life, Johnnie worked as a truck driver for Homestead Farms. Johnnie loved working and being involved in the community.

Johnnie received numerous awards during his career. He was named Firefighter of the Year for several years. The year before he passed, he was awarded Unit 41’s Lifetime Achievement Award because of his dedication in the face of his battle with cancer.

He had made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of the Greensburg Separate Baptist Church. He loved gospel music.

He is survived by his first wife and mother of his children, Rebecca Posey; his wife, Katty Judd Jessie; a son, Jeremy Jessie, and his girlfriend, Tara Hutcherson; a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Bobby Edwards; a stepson and his wife, Jeremy and Heather Edwards; three grandchildren, Hallie Jessie, Jaydon Jessie, and Kaylee Edwards; six step-grandchildren, Gage and Briley Edwards, Evelyn Edwards, Lexie and Taygen Hutcherson, and Nathaniel Clark; one brother, David Jessie; and a host of other relatives. Since Johnnie’s passing, his brother, Robert Jessie, has joined him in Heaven.

Johnnie was a wonderful family man. He loved his family dearly, and they loved him. So many loved him like he was a member of their own family. When Johnnie passed, the entire community mourned. He touched so many lives and left a positive mark everywhere he went.

His family will never forget the love and support of Unit 41.

Memorial Posts

Previous
Next
Previous
Next
Previous
Next
Previous
Next

Memorial Wall

  • (will not be published)

  1. My dad will never be forgotten❤️ Rip Unit 41

    – Beverly Edwards
  2. A Father and Grandfather who can never be replaced… Everyday is a struggle without you here
    WOW The ppl who miss you are uncountable so many life’s you light up and so many hearts you healed…

    – Kendel
  3. Johnnie, you are loved and missed every minute of every day.

    – Kelly
  4. Uncle Johnny I miss you so much!!! You are the only family member who truly loved me and would be so proud of me right now. I love you and your on my mind daily!!!!

    – Amanda Biller
  5. Johnnie and I are 1st cousins. We are three months apart in age and he seemed more like a brother. Our families were together a lot. We were in the same class in school. I have so many memories of him and things we did. He had a heart of gold. As would do anything he could for you. When he passed my buddy was gone forever. I knew he was always there if I needed him. He will never be forgotten and I think of him a lot. Our family has lost a lot. I hope he knew how much he meant to me. Love ya cuz!!

    – Paula Edwards Bishop
  6. Sure was proud to be his wife He will never be forgotten

    – Kathy Jessie