Plainview National Fallen Firefighters

Plainview firefighter Bob Johnson was setting up equipment during a house fire northeast of town on Feb. 10, 1985, when he collapsed and died of an aortic rupture at age 35.

Johnson represents the department’s first Line Of Duty Death (LODD).

His name is engraved on the Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the State Capitol building in St. Paul and a plaque outside the Plainview fire hall honors his memory.

The Plainview News reports forty years later, Johnson is among those being recognized as part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend - the official national tribute to firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

People are asked to turn on a red light outside of their homes nightly this week through Sunday, May 4.

Bells will be rung nation-wide to remember and honor the fallen firefighters during a ‘Bells Across America’ event on Saturday and Sunday.