It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson of the Minnetonka Fire Department, who died after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.  

Shawn served the community of Minnetonka for 20 years. He joined the department in March 2006 as a Paid-on-Call Firefighter, demonstrating early on his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving his community. During his years as a Paid-On-Call member, Shawn also served as both a lieutenant and training captain. In 2016, Shawn was hired full time as a fire inspector within the department’s Fire and Life Safety Division, where his strong knowledge of the fire code and attention to detail became evident. His leadership and expertise led to his promotion to Deputy Fire Marshal in 2023, a role in which he served with distinction.   

In his role with the Fire and Life Safety Division, Shawn had the opportunity to build strong relationships with business owners and property managers throughout the community. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the places where people live and work were safe, applying his deep knowledge of fire prevention and code enforcement with professionalism and genuine care for others. 

Shawn was passionate about training and developing firefighters across Minnesota. He taught and tested firefighters through the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board, traveling statewide to support departments of all sizes. His ability to educate, mentor, and inspire made him a respected resource throughout the fire service. 

As a nationally certified Fire Investigator, Shawn was widely recognized for his skill, thoroughness, and professionalism. He served on the Board of Directors as Vice President with the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (MN IAAI) and was honored as the Minnesota Fire Investigator of the Year in 2020, reflecting his excellence in the field. 

From 2011 to 2024, Shawn served with the Hennepin County Fire Investigation Team (HCFIT) in every role including Investigator, Team Lead, and Team Supervisor. His technical expertise, leadership, and steady presence were instrumental in strengthening the team and improving investigative capability throughout the region. 

Service information will be shared once arrangements are finalized. Minnetonka Fire is working closely with Shawn’s family to support them in every way possible. 

Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson’s integrity, commitment, and service to the Minnesota fire community will not be forgotten.