a film by John Jenkins

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In 1962, a 38 year old Secret Service man named Thomas Lemuel Johns transferred from the Atlanta office to the Vice Presidential protective detail in Washington D.C. He and a small detail protected Lyndon Johnson and were with him a year later in Dallas, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. From that moment on, Johnson became the most powerful man in the world and the security of the president became a more complex and difficult task. "Lem" Johns was instrumental during the Johnson presidency in bringing about changes that have led to the modern day protections afforded the president and others in the United States government..

A Birmingham, Alabama native, Mr. Johns served for many years not only in the Secret Service but early on as a "Revenue Man" chasing moonshiners in and around Birmingham.

"Lem: Secret Serviceman" tells the story of Lem Johns in a personal way with historical photos, films, and personal movies.

While the film does cover many of the events that were occuring during the tumultuous 1960's, you will see and hear what it was like on the LBJ ranch, how the Secret Service secured the president's daughters "dates" and what it was like to work behind the scenes on security at the White House Detail and hear about the special relationship that Lem had with Lyndon Johnson.

Just as importantly, you will hear the perspective of his wife, Nita Johns. The Secret Service was a tough job, particulary in its affect on the family.

This film is not designed to explore why the Kennedy assassination occurred, nor whether it was a conspiracy. It is rather a unique anecdotal look at how one man, in the background, as an "unsung hero", consistently worked tirelessly to achieve goals that led to changes in the way our presidents and the candidates for that post are protected.