Governor Walz orders flags to half-staff for Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson

Governor Tim Walz orders all United States flags and Minnesota flags at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson of the Minnetonka Fire Department. Johnson died on March 5, 2026, after two decades of service to the Minnetonka community and Minnesota’s fire service.

His career included roles as a Paid-on-Call Firefighter, lieutenant, training captain, fire inspector, and, beginning in 2023, Deputy Fire Marshal. He also served statewide as a testing evaluator with the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board, mentoring and supporting firefighters across departments of all sizes.

The order applies to all state buildings in Minnesota from sunrise on Wednesday, March 18, through sunset on Thursday, March 19. A separate flag order remains in effect for Sergeant First Class Nicole M. Amor until sunset on the day of her interment.