Johnny is the Founder and President of the Hero Down Foundation. With 12 years of military service, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and 15 years in law enforcement, his commitment to service, teamwork, and supporting those who serve runs deep. He understands the weight families carry, the uncertainty they live with, and the reality that this profession can take everything from you. Those experiences shaped his belief that a strong network of support from within and beyond the industry is not optional, but essential.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Johnny has witnessed the emotional, physical, and financial strain families face after injuries or line-of-duty deaths. He has also seen officers expected to perform at the highest levels while often receiving the lowest levels of training all under intense public scrutiny, political pressure, and organizational demands. For veterans, he has seen the struggle to find purpose, team, and connection once the uniform comes off. These experiences reinforced what he already knew: we must elevate law enforcement hard skills, bring veterans back into a community that values them, and build a comprehensive support network that strengthens both.
Johnny found his own grounding and resilience through competitive shooting and Brazilian jiu-jitsu both demanding disciplines built on humility, performance under stress, and true camaraderie. In 2017, he created the Gauntlet Combat Shootout, a five-man team challenge blending physical obstacles with 3-gun stages. Each year, the event raised funds for veteran suicide prevention, law enforcement support, and financial relief for first responders battling cancer turning performance and competition into meaningful impact.
What began as a small local effort quickly expanded in purpose and reach. In 2021, Johnny partnered with Ridgeline Training Center and Ridgeline Group in Dalton, New Hampshire — an unrivaled facility dedicated to providing the highest level of training to military, law enforcement, and armed civilians. Together, they launched the Hero Down Team Shootout Challenge, a hybrid 2-Gun event combining competitive formats with real-world tasks and high-stress problem solving. This growth shifted the mission from simply supporting other nonprofits to building a full ecosystem dedicated to serving those who serve.
Today, that evolution stands as the Hero Down Foundation (501c3) and the Hero Down Competition Series, a growing community united by shared values, high performance, and an unwavering commitment to veterans, law enforcement officers, and their families across New England and beyond.
Johnny lives in Massachusetts with his life-partner and two children where he continues his passion to elevating others, and on-going pursuit of healing and support through family and community.
