National Association of Security Companies released this statement is regards to Stephen Johns who was killed in the line of duty earlier this week. :

The National Association of Security Companies (NASCO) today offered its condolences and gratitude to the family, friends and colleagues of Security Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns. Officer Johns - an employee of Wackenhut Services, Inc., an affiliate of NASCO member The Wackenhut Corporation - was killed in the line of duty yesterday at the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC while protecting museum patrons from unprovoked attack. Johns' fellow museum security officers returned fire and critically wounded the assailant while evacuating museum guests. Thanks to the actions of the officers, no museum patrons were injured.

NASCO is reaching out to Officer Johns' family through contacts at The Wackenhut Corporation to inquire about assistance with the family's expenses and ongoing needs.

"Officer Stephen Johns is a hero, plain and simple," said NASCO Executive Director Jeff Flint.

"His actions and the actions of his security colleagues at the Holocaust Museum demonstrate the critical role that private security officers play everyday, often without thanks, to protect people's lives and property. Too many people take the work of private security officers for granted, until a tragedy like yesterday occurs."

Private security officers work in one of the most dangerous and under-appreciated professions in America according to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at the U.S. Census Bureau, NASCO said. A broad range of sites in the United States are protected primarily by private security, including oil refineries, chemical plants, office buildings, tourist and entertainment venues, and malls and retail establishments.

"The last week has been a particularly grim period for private security, as at least six security officers have been killed in the line of duty nationwide - far greater than normal," added Flint. "They are all heroes."