Private Security Officer Stephens Johns is credited with saving countless lives on June 10th, 2009, when police say white supremacist James von Brunn opened fire in the Holocaust museum. Heroism that cost him his life.
"Our membership was really concerned," Kathy Howell, Assistant District Director of SEIU 32BJ says. "They were saying could we be next."
The Service Employees International Union, which represents 1,500 security guards in DC, wants to make sure the nation never forgets the day Johns was killed in the line of duty.
Union representative Bernard Hackett says, "They are the first line of defense."
SEIU wants to make June 10th Private Security Officer Appreciation Day.
"You deal with different people with different attitudes and you don't know what you're going to get. We want folks to know that and appreciate the work these guards do," Howell says.
Union leaders say they will first ask the DC City Council to recognize the appreciation day. They hope the effort will soon spread nationwide.
In the meantime, the union is working with employers to beef up training for the guards so that they, and people who visit and work in the buildings, are safer.
One day of thanks in return is all they ask.
Howell feels confident: "We think that's definitely forthcoming and needs to happen."
