History lives on as Preston Johnson, Sr. is remembered as the first black paramedic for the South Bend Fire Department

SOUTH BEND, Ind — Preston Johnson, Sr. is one of Michiana's many trailblazers, creating a path for others to follow in the future.

Preston Johnson, Sr. was born on July 15, 1947. He was the oldest of six siblings, and his brother, Calvin Johnson, Sr., tells ABC57 Preston was his hero.

During a sit down, Calvin opened up a red envelope with decades old newspaper clippings and pictures of Preston.

"This was the swearing in class for firemen," Calvin shared as he showed a picture of his brother and a group of other men.

A hero to his brother Calvin and a trailblazer for all of South Bend and the many black firefighters and paramedics now helping their neighbors.

Calvin says Preston's love for helping people started early on.

"He joined the navy reserve in high school, that was really intriguing," Calvin said.

But the Navy Reserve wasn't enough for Preston.

"He was a medic in Vietnam. You hear these stories about him being with somebody, and the person next to you gets blown up. I really think that was the driving force in his life, to help somebody else, to make their life better. He lived a selfless life. I think he was a giver," Calvin explained.

After serving his country in Vietnam, Preston made his way back to South Bend and wanted to serve his community too.

"All of his stuff is surrounded by the military and then coming home and becoming a fireman, and I can say he was a darn good one."

Shortly thereafter, Preston made history.

"This is when he got certified as a paramedic."

A 1980 newspaper clipping describes Preston as one of nine paramedics eligible for state certification. Once completed, Preston became the first black paramedic for the South Bend Fire Department—a radical change in the black community.

"He'd go out to pick up somebody on a run, and they were just happy to see him," Calvin shared as he shuffled through the pictures and newspaper clippings.

After 20 years of risking his life to help others, Preston retired in 1990.

"Even today, he's been gone almost three years, people will say, oh, your brother picked me up. They would just make good compliments about him and the things that he did to help their life be better."

Even after Preston's passing in 2023 his presence is still felt in the department—and his hometown.

"Throughout his life, just giving and giving and giving. I think that he was an encourager to the people, my brothers and sisters, for us helping to reach our goals. So, like I say, forever, he'll be my hero."

Calvin says Preston was a role model to his siblings long before he became a role model for the community. He shared Preston built his family, a wife and son, a house at the age of 23. Preston was also involved with Special Olympics and his work didn't stop there.

"Even after he retired from the fire department, because he liked people, he went on to work at Christ the King Church," shared Calvin.

Preston Johnson, Sr. passed on April 17, 2023 at the age of 75 years old. However, his legacy lives on in South Bend.