a six-year veteran of the museum security staff

"It seems kind of thrown-back - it does not seem to be that dangerous," Leroy Carter, who contributed to a better stepfather John 3 because he told CNN affiliate WUSA-TV in Washington. "He had asked for the metro police or places like this, but I would have been in his country where he was. "But it is afterwards."

John, 39, was shot and killed while on duty Wednesday - allegedly slain by a 88-year-old, who gave the white supremacist in a museum with a rifle and began firing. John is remembered by friends and family as a "Gentle Giant" - he stood 6 feet 6 inches, according to Carter. And he has lived up to the end moniker. . .

One of his last acts was reached and opened the door for the man who shot, police said. Video tribute museum officials » James von Bruna, an outspoken Holocaust denier who had six years in prison for the kidnapping of an attempt in 1981, was shot and wounded by John 'fellow officers. He remained in critical condition Thursday at the George Washington University Hospital.

John, a six-year veteran of the museum security staff, was a native and resident of Temple Hills, Maryland. In this time of the shooting, friends and colleagues repeatedly noted "Big John" for his quiet, friendly nature. "If you know him first he was very intimidating," said Alan Burkee, a friend and former employee at the museum. "But he was very shy. ... He had a major problem - a very nice, very polite to all visitors who came and the staff that worked."

Friends said John was an avid Washington Redskins fan and loved to travel, but lived only 10 minutes away from where his mother and stepfather raised him.

He had a 11-year-old son, Stephen Jr., and recently remarries, according to friends.

"He was a pretty big boy," John Stephen Jr., better known as "Little Stephen" family told WUSA. "He was always there for me when I was down or sad."

Stephen Carter was detained after school to tell him the news of the murder, and two were on their way to the hospital when John deceased.

Steve Maritas organizing director of international security, Police and Fire Professionals of America - that John was a member.

He said that the way in which John and his fellow officers responded Wednesday and saved lives - and that goes against the stereotype of the run-of-the-mill guards.

"If the case, there would have been 50 people shot yesterday," said Maritas, whose organization represents more than 30,000 national and 5,000 officials in the Washington area. "These guys are highly trained, highly paid officials. This is not like they are wearing a uniform." John had worked for Wackenhut Security, Inc. since 2003.

Maritas said John and his colleagues trained for days like Wednesday - In the year of peace and security in a way to sudden outburst of terror.

"We hope that this will not have to use your weapons," he said. "But you get a situation where you have a crush on this guy - take place within two or three seconds."

For Carter, there will always be a clear reminder of the stepdaughter he raised as his. Stephen Little, he said, and acts as his father did at that age.