Family donates trauma kits to honor late deputy sheriff
Henry Johnson’s legacy will live on.
Johnson, a former Walworth County deputy sheriff, died in October 2018, at the age of 64.
His family was so touched by the law enforcement community for the support it showed when he died and wanted to repay that on some level.
So Paul Fedyniak, whose brother-in-law is Johnson’s son, decided to make a donation of three trauma kits to the Sheriff’s Department’s three K-9 handlers.
Fedyniak, a veterinarian in Chicago, said Johnson loved his family, especially the dogs, and he loved spending time with his grandsons, Mason and Trey.
Fedyniak was overwhelmed by the support from law enforcement during the wake, so he just had to give back.
“It was really heartwarming seeing all of the law enforcement vehicles outside of the church,” Fedyniak said. “I decided that the best way I could contribute to this giant family was by making a donation in Henry Johnson’s name.”
Johnson served the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office from 1978 to 2004.
Fedyniak wanted to honor Johnson’s career as a sheriff’s deputy, so he thought donating something from his non-profit, MediK-9USA, would be perfect.
Why trauma kits?
When Johnson passed away, Fedyniak had already made MediK-9USA an official charity.
On Dec. 19, he donated, as a personal contribution in Johnson’s name, three canine oxygen masks to the three K-9 handlers at the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.
During his fourth year of veterinary school, Fedyniak was surprised to find out that most officers do not carry much trauma gear, as it is just extra weight since they carry so many things.
What started as a fundraiser, where he sold watercolor pet-portrait paintings, became a non-profit to help out K-9 handlers and other officers.
Fedyniak said smaller departments usually don’t include trauma supplies in their budgets, but they are essential.
“Trauma kits are needed by all law-enforcement,” Fedyniak said. “They have hazardous jobs. The kits are not specific to K-9s. Being a veterinarian, I simply took human-rated supplies and ensured that it would also work for a K-9. This way, regardless of if a K-9, handler, or other human is injured, the handlers have supplies to help attempt at saving their lives.”
Fedyniak said the demand for trauma kits is overwhelming.
They’ve had requests from all over the world, but they must limit it to the United States.
“The goal isn’t to profit off the trauma kits, it is to get them into handlers’ hands,” Fedyniak added.
What’s in the kit?
Fedyniak said a lot of people want to help, but sometimes the kits are too big and hard to carry so they’re left behind in the car.
If case of an emergency, it can be hard to find the needed supplies in time.
The MediK-9 trauma kit has only life-saving equipment in it.
“The main items are a tourniquet, which will work on the small legs of a K-9, hemostatic gauze, bandages, as well as chest seals for a penetrating chest wound,” Fedyniak said.
One big difference is a canine-oxygen mask, which is specially designed to fit the canine’s muzzle, Fedyniak said.
“It allows paramedics to give supplemented oxygen to a K-9 in respiratory distress,” Fedyniak said. “It can also be connected to an ambu-bag to give breaths to the canine. These are not widely available.”
A family man who loved his dogs, it only seems fitting Johnson would be honored with a donation that will save dog’s lives.
The trauma kits will benefit the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, which was like a second family to Johnson.
Johnson’s legacy lives on, thanks to Fedyniak and a strong family, and local law enforcement will reap the benefits of such heart-warming generosity.
“Henry loved his family, dogs, and his home. It just seemed like the good way to honor his memory,” Fedyniak said.
For more information, visit www.mediK-9usa.com.
