Dr. Walter Johnston honored by Fisher Ferry Firefighters

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Dr. Walter Johnston was honored by Fisher Ferry Firefighters on Monday evening.

In a ceremony held at the Fisher Ferry Fire Station on Lee Road, Dr. Walter Johnston was honored by current and past Fisher Ferry Firefighters for helping organize the Fisher Ferry Firefighters in 1984.

In addition to founding a fire department, Dr. Johnston was a family practitioner for 44 years, retiring in 2022.

Dr. Walter Johnson holds the plaque recognizing his achievements. Photo by David Day

“The Fisher Ferry Fire Department and the Fisher Ferry Fire Protection District wants to give recognition to Dr. Walter Johnston for starting the Fisher Ferry Firefighters back in 1984. In 1991 the fire protection district was started. The original Lee Road and this station,” said Fisher Ferry Chief, Mitch Lange. “Next year will be 40 years and we want to thank you.”

About 30 firefighters, friends and family along with Sheriff Martin Pace attended the event which included cake and refreshments.

The Vicksburg Daily News asked Dr. Johnston how he felt about the recognition and ceremony, “I’m somewhat embarrassed. I don’t know that I deserve it but I am very appreciative of the thoughts. I wish the best for the Fisher Ferry Fire Department,” said Dr. Johnston.

“Over the last few years, …I see a countywide fire system developing with the core of it being the volunteer fire department. There is a lot of cooperation between the different departments and they back each other up. These guys work full-time jobs. Back then I caught heck going to a fire on Christmas morning. You know, they’ve got lives and families too, they don’t get paid for this,” said a passionate Dr. Johnston. “We need to be appreciative of all the volunteer firefighters.”

Dr. Johnston closed by saying, “Mitch Lange is doing an excellent job with Fisher Ferry.”