ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) – Johnny Peterson has been considered a hero within the Erwin community since Hurricane Helene struck. During Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, one local representative ensured that his sacrifice wasn’t forgotten.

Peterson was one of six employees at Impact Plastics who died during Hurricane Helene. Peterson died while trying to save his co-workers. His daughter, Alexa Peterson, said Johnny was a selfless man.

“To know that other people appreciate him and that they see the sacrifice,” she said. “It eases the pain of his death in some way.”

District Four State Representative Renea Jones put a stamp on Johnny’s heroic acts, issuing a proclamation to honor him.

“All the things he did that day impacted not only that day, but the recovery as well,” Jones said.

Johnny’s family attended the meeting, accepting the proclamation in his honor. Alexa said she thinks her father would be happy with the recognition.

“He wasn’t very extravagant,” she said. “I don’t know that he would have felt super comfortable if he had been here, but I think he would have felt proud to have been recognized for what he did.”

As many move forward and continue to rebuild, the Peterson family’s process will look much different.

“As a county, I hope we can rebuild and move forward,” Alexa said. “As a family, I don’t really know what that looks like. We’re just taking it one day at a time.”

Rep. Jones said she hopes the proclamation will serve as guidance to the county.

“I hope it helps some to heal,” she said. “I hope it helps to motivate.”

When asked what they would say to Johnny if he were here, Alexa gave one sentence:

“We miss you,” she said.