CSX Police Agent Honored with 2024 New York Operation Lifesaver Volunteer Service Award

January 8, 2025 - CSX Police Special Agent Michael Johnson has received the 2024 Volunteer Service Award from New York Operation Lifesaver (NYOL), a non-profit organization committed to rail safety education. This annual recognition highlights the outstanding dedication and impact of a single Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer within the state.

Since joining NYOL in spring 2019, Johnson has delivered 75 educational presentations on railroad safety to audiences, including K-8 students, high schoolers, bus drivers, law enforcement, firefighters, and the general public. His efforts as a presenter and coach have made a lasting impact in promoting awareness about rail safety.

A leader in Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) training, Johnson has conducted 10 specialized sessions for law enforcement in Western New York since the program’s inception in 2021. Under his guidance, many officers have been recruited as Operation Lifesaver volunteers, further expanding the mission of creating safer communities near railroads.

"In my volunteer service as an Operation Lifesaver Coach, I meet with new volunteers to help them get accustomed to their roles, providing mentorship and answering questions along the way," Johnson shared. His dedication to supporting new volunteers ensures the sustainability of the program and its life-saving message.

Johnson joined the CSX Railroad Police Department in May 2011 and has been instrumental in rail safety education for first responders. Beyond his work with NYOL, he teaches at four police academies in the Western New York area, equipping future officers with critical knowledge about railroad safety.

Operation Lifesaver, founded in 1972, was created in response to alarmingly high rates of collisions at highway-rail crossings—an average of 12,000 incidents per year at the time. Thanks to its educational initiatives, those numbers have dropped by over 80%, to about 2,100 annually. The program’s mission remains steadfast: raising awareness to save lives and reduce risky behaviors around railroad tracks.

The Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals like Johnson, who go above and beyond to support Operation Lifesaver's lifesaving goals. Through his exceptional contributions, Johnson exemplifies the spirit of commitment and collaboration needed to create a safer future.

To hear more of Johnson’s story, view the video below. For more information about Operation Lifesaver programs and how to get involved, visit their website at https://oli.org/.