St. Louis Park Resident Dives in to Help

Just because Jayson Johnson works nights doesn't mean he's idle during the day. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The St. Louis Park resident was recognized earlier this month as the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office "Volunteer of the Year" for his work on the dive team. In 2011, Johnson has volunteered more than 400 hours of his time, much of it spent under water at the scenes of boating accidents and other water emergencies.

"It allows me to do what I like and give back a little," Johnson said.

Work on the dive team is, unfortunately, often more about recovery then rescue. It's a grim reality that Johnson has had to learn to live with.

"They aren't great things to see, but you kind of get to a point where you understand how to handle them," he said.

Johnson's resolve as a volunteer rescue diver was probably never tested more than it was on Aug. 1, 2007, when the I-35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River. Johnson was one of the many emergency responders on the scene.

"It felt like I was on a movie set," he said. "It didn't seem real."

While the scenes he sees can be bleak, Johnson said he reminds himself he is doing good.

"You actually get to go help," he said. "That's about the only positive spin I can put on those things."

Johnson has been helping others as a dive team member for the past five years. Before that, he spent another few years above the water, volunteering as a member of the water patrol. Why switch to the dive team?

"I guess it was the opportunity to do more," Johnson said. "I wasn't able to go under water."

When not volunteering, Johnson works in Park Nicollet's sleep lab as sleep technician, which has him working with people with various sleep disorders. Johnson said Park Nicollet has been very understanding of his volunteering efforts, making sure he doesn't have to work the night after a day spent in the water.

Johnson has lived in St. Louis Park for about a year with his girlfriend. The 36-year-old said the two of them enjoy sports together, and he finds a little time for motorcycle rides, as well. He doesn't expect his passion for volunteering with the county dive team to go away anytime soon.

"It's something I'd like to keep doing for a long time." Johnson said.