DeKalb County sheriff reflects on late 911 dispatcher’s dedication to job, family

Steven Johnson died Feb. 17 at Kishwaukee Hospital following long-term medical issues

SYCAMORE – DeKalb County Sheriff’s officials are honoring the life and legacy of one of their own, Steve Johnson, who worked in the communications division for nearly two decades, after he died following a long illness.

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said Wednesday that county 911 dispatcher Johnson suffered from medical issues that were not COVID-19 related for a while.

“Then it came on rapidly,” Scott said. “So within two weeks … it progressed so quickly he passed away last Wednesday.”

Johnson died Feb. 17 at Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, according to his obituary. He was 46.

Johnson was a DeKalb County Sheriff’s 911 dispatcher for 18 years and has been part of law enforcement agencies within the county for more than 25 years total. He and his wife Jeanette were the founders of Act of Grace, which helps bring epilepsy awareness, according to the obituary.

Scott said Johnson will be remembered for his faithfulness and dedication to communications and the sheriff’s office. He said Johnson also was devoted to his family and he was an active advocate for epilepsy awareness.

“He took a really active and aggressive role on awareness of epilepsy and … how to help those with that affliction,” Scott said.

Johnson also was a member of the Andrew D. Mitchell Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, according to his obituary.

Scott said this has been the second loss for the sheriff’s office’s communications department in four months. Johnson’s death comes after Dep. Margaret Rice, 36, of Waterman died suddenly in November 2020.

“It’s been a hard four months for that division in particular and the office in general, and of course his family,” Scott said.

Visitation for Johnson was held Tuesday afternoon at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb. Parked cars at the funeral home spilled from the parking lot into the street and among the cars were several sheriff’s police vehicles.

“He was buried with full sheriff’s office honors,” Scott said.

Scott said Johnson’s father also served in the sheriff’s office for a dozen years.

“It’s kind of a family heritage that he leaves,” Scott said.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Act of Grace care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115. Donations are still being accepted in honor of Johnson.

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