Michigan Rep. Conyers Helps Slain Holocaust Museum Guard's Relatives Attend Funeral

With the help of Rep. John Conyers, family members of Stephen Tyrone Johns, the security guard fatally shot at the Holocaust Museum last week, can now afford to leave their Detroit homes to attend his funeral in Washington on Friday.

The Michigan Democrat arranged for nine airline tickets and hotel rooms for Johns' relatives after they lamented to a local FOX News station that they did not have the money or reliable transportation to pay their last respects.

"It is my nephew and I want to be there for the family," Martie Johns, the victim's aunt, told MyFOXDetroit.com.

An aide to Conyers, a Democrat, told FOXNews.com that the lawmaker made the arrangements because he was moved and wanted to help his constituents.

"Conyers made some calls and saw who would be interested in helping," the aide said, adding that the congressman didn't use taxpayer money or dip into his own pockets. He found an airline and hotel willing to accommodate the relatives.

"He did what he could do," the aide said.

Yvonne Johns, a cousin of the victim, said she and her mother believe this tragedy has helped them to see the goodness in people.

"Happy, I'm happy I'll be there with my family," she said when asked how she feels to know she can now attend the funeral.

Johns, 39, of Temple Hills, Md., served on the museum's security staff for six years. He was fatally shot when he opened the door for an elderly man armed with a rifle, police said. He died in a Washington hospital from his injuries.

James Von Brunn, an 88-year-old anti-Semite and white supremacist, has been charged with Johns' murder. Two other security guards returned fire and critically wounded Von Brunn, who is expected to survive but remains in the hospital.

Click here to read the MyFOXDetroit.com report.