Sheriff’s sergeant performs at fundraiser

Very nearly six months to the day after he was severely injured in a shooting, classical cellist and Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Johnny Lenz performed with his father and sister.

More than 150 people watched the trio perform June 19 at Dangberg Historic Home Ranch, according to Suicide Prevention Network Executive Director Debbie Posnien.

In addition, to being one of the county’s motorcycle officers, Lenz has a master’s degree in music and a bachelor’s degree in physics.

He has served with the sheriff’s office since June 8, 2009.

Lenz was shot on Dec. 20, 2020, in a Gardnerville shootout with a fugitive during a traffic stop. He was hospitalized at Renown Regional Medical Center through Christmas and returned with an escort of his fellow officers on Dec. 29, 2020. He returned to duty on Feb. 22.

Lenz’ father is Reno classical musician John Lenz and his sister, Ruth, is lead violinist for the Philharmonic.

“Our Summer Sounds Concert was a great success,” Posnien said. “We had more than 150 guests who enjoyed the evening listening to Johnny Lenz, his sister and father play the cello and violin.”

Lenz has been a frequent soloist with area orchestras, as well as a performer of chamber music for the past 20 years.

Lenz is also a board member of Suicide Prevention Network.

“John agreed to do this concert as a fundraiser for our agency,” Posnien said. “A variety was songs were played, many of them were arranged by John himself.”

Posnien thanked the network staff, board members and Bike and Brews Keith Hart for his fire truck that is actual a bar, and Bill Belair of “I’d Smoke That” Bar-b-que and Catering.