'He Was Larger Than Life' Service Held For Detroit Firefighter

DETROIT, MI — Detroit Fire Department Sergeant Sivad Johnson was described as trustworthy, caring and a man with a beautiful mind. He was lauded as a hero over the course of a ceremony held in his honor Monday at the Detroit Public Safety headquarters.

The ceremony — which was also streamed virtually and limited in physical attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic — was held 10 days after Johnson, 49, died Aug. 21 after diving into the Detroit River at Belle Isle to help save the lives of three young girls from drowning.

"Anyone could spend one day or 1,000 days with him and easily feel like you have a great friend or brother for life," said Roger Harper, a firefighter who served alongside Johnson.

Johnson's body was recovered from the Detroit River not far offshore from Belle Isle by the Detroit Police Department and Detroit Fire Department divers, the Detroit Free Press reported, citing Detroit Fire Department Director Dave Fornell.

He was found following a six-hour search Aug. 22.

Related: Body Of Missing Detroit Firefighter Found Near Belle Isle

Johnson was a second-generation firefighter in the Detroit Fire Department and served for 26 years. In 2017, he was honored with the Medal of Valor.

While off duty, Sivad was known for his artwork, which has appeared in children's books, at local businesses, and on television. He also designed the current Detroit Fire Department logo.

He is survived by his two daughters, a brother and father.

The service's officiant, Jennifer Ann Wilson, a reporter with WXYZ, read letters submitted by Johnson's family, which described the late firefighter as a hero and "a gift from God."

"He was larger than life in so many ways," Johnson's family said in a letter. "Sivad was enormous and living out his values of service and dedication."

Sivad Johnson's brother, Jamal Johnson, who is also a city of Detroit firefighter, said he always followed in his brother's footsteps and "knew that was the right direction to take."

"You're going to hear a lot of stories about my brother, it's going to sound like someone is describing a fictional character," Jamal Johnson said. "But trust and believe me, every bit of it is true. It's been that way ever since we've been young.

"He's always had my back, and a lot of others," Johnson said. "And now we have the opportunity to have his."

Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones took time to thank members of the Detroit Police Department and the harbormaster team for their work searching for Johnson Aug. 21.

"We watched your men, chief, search all night," Jones said. "They searched so long that we started fearing for their safety."

Detroit Fire Engine Operator Martin Rucker sang a rendition of "His Eye is On the Sparrow."

Patricia Wheeler, who knew Johnson from The Moth, a performing arts center in Detroit, said Johnson was an incredible storyteller.

"Some storytellers focus on the laugh or shock value of a story, and while Sivad's stories were always full of humor and were certainly always shocking, the point of his stories was always hope," she said.

President Tom Gehart of the Local 344 Detroit Firefighters Association described Johnson as a man with valor, honesty, integrity and loyalty.

"The diary of Sgt. Johnson's life as it is now written matches up nicely with the life he obviously vowed to live," Gehart said, shortly before presenting Johnson's family with a medal and a Bible.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan talked about how he had gotten to know Johnson through the words and stories of his friends and family and went on to praise Johnson and the life-saving efforts that ultimately took Johnson's own life.

"Firefighters are the best of us, and Sivad Johnson was the best of the best," Duggan said. "What he did will never be forgotten. I just want the Johnson family to know that this entire city shares your grief with you today."

Detroit Police Commissioner Darryl Brown thanked God for being able to work with and get to know Johnson.

"He was unselfish with himself, with his talent, with his advice and everything," Brown said.

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist rounded out a series of speakers, describing Johnson as an idol and an icon.

"I'm thankful to be here as a man, as a father, as a Detroiter, as lieutenant governor of the state of Michigan, serving alongside our governor, Gretchen Whitmer, we bring both greetings and condolences on behalf of the entire state of Michigan," Gilchrist said.

At the same time of Monday's ceremony, the Detroit Fire Department placed apparatus on ramps with lights on in honor of Johnson.

Fire Companies throughout Michigan, across the nation and neighbors in Canada, also took part in the tribute. Many used the hashtag, #SivadStrong to pay respects to the fallen firefighter. The Detroit Public Safety Foundation shared many of the posts on its Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch