Governor Tim Walz today ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise on Wednesday, March 18, to sunset on Thursday, March 19, in honor and remembrance of Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson of the Minnetonka Fire Department, who passed away on March 5, 2026, after a two-year battle with cancer.

“Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson dedicated his life to protecting others and strengthening the fire service across Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “Through two decades of service, he mentored firefighters, safeguarded communities, and built lasting relationships grounded in trust and professionalism. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, the Minnetonka Fire Department, and the many colleagues and friends whose lives he touched.”

Johnson joined the Minnetonka Fire Department in March 2006 as a Paid-on-Call Firefighter. During his time with the department, he served as a lieutenant and training captain before joining the department full-time in 2016 as a fire inspector in the Fire and Life Safety Division. In 2023, he was promoted to Deputy Fire Marshal.

In addition to his service in Minnetonka, Johnson supported firefighters statewide as a testing evaluator with the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board. A nationally certified Fire Investigator, he served as Vice President of the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators and was recognized as Minnesota Fire Investigator of the Year in 2020. He also served for more than a decade with the Hennepin County Fire Investigation Team in several leadership roles.

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Deputy Fire Marshal Johnson’s life and legacy. Flags are currently lowered in honor of Sergeant First Class Nicole M. Amor and will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of her interment.