Heroes from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic are coming to light and Scott Johnson is no exception.

He stayed on as head of Bedford County Emergency Management & Homeland Security in 2020—a very tough year—upon the advisement of Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham.

He could have turned in his retirement schedule then, avoided all there was to deal with last year, but chose instead to continue to serve his community.

Retirement would have to wait.

“I couldn’t run from what I saw was developing into one of the most significant professional and community challenges in my generation’s lifetime,” said Johnson, who spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force before returning home and becoming BCEMA director 17 years ago—a total of 40 years serving others.

So along with County officials, he worked to get the community through the pandemic and all that was related to it, concerning Bedford County Government.

With sadness, government employees, family and friends held an official retirement reception in his honor was held Friday afternoon at the BCEMA offices on Railroad Avenue.

Johnson’s wife, Alice, retired from her job in January, and the couple say they look forward to visiting their children and grandchildren in the Washington, D.C., and Nashville areas, and doing some traveling. 

Though he’s “retiring,” from government service, Johnson intends to remain active, continuing to serve on boards and committees, including the Bedford County Emergency Communications District board, the Chamber of Commerce board and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration board.

He plans to still volunteer as a patrol deputy sheriff with Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, he’ll continue to host his various City and County government interview programs on WLIJ Radio. 

“It’s been an honor and a privilege,” said Johnson, who served under three different county mayors – Jimmy Woodson, Eugene Ray and finally, Graham.

Mayor Graham said it was bittersweet to accept Johnson’s retirement notice.

“Although I’m happy for Scott, who has served the public for more than 40 years and more than earned his retirement, all of us will miss having him as a full-time co-worker,” said Graham. “I was a department head when Scott returned home from military service, and I have watched him elevate our EMA program to what it is today. I’m grateful for his service, both in the military and here at home. I am glad that he’ll continue to be active in the community. He is certainly leaving BCEMA better than he found it!”

During Friday’s reception, various other elected officials and emergency service personnel praised Johnson’s service, both in Bedford County and before that in the military.

Johnson said he’s been interested in public service ever since childhood, watching watched the police drama “Adam-12” on television. The Los Angeles Police Department cruisers on the show bore the slogan “To Protect And To Serve,” and that appealed to Johnson. 

“I kind of diverged from my whole family; they’re corporate business people,” he quipped.

Johnson, looking back on his time at BCEMA, said he’s proud of the cooperation among City and County emergency service agencies when meeting challenges to protect this community such as the White Lives Matter protests and counter-protests in 2017. Citizens were able to express themselves, but the event was peaceful, and well-managed.

BCEMA serves as a resource to those agencies, according to Johnson.

“We’re facilitators,” he said. “People don’t work for us, but they work in partnership with us in an ongoing effort to make Bedford County a safer place to live and work.”

BCEMA plays a key role in coordinating the planning and response for major emergencies related to issues such as hazardous material incidents, severe weather, large special events, school safety, and more.

Johnson concluded he was very fortunate to work for “three great bosses” who supported him during his tenure as director and with exceptionally talented and dedicated BCEMA team members. 

Johnson’s successor as BCEMA director will be announced soon.