Twitter hashtag: #MrPenny

Mr. Penny remains in critical condition at East Alabama Medical Center on Tuesday, a day after he was found at his home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

EAMC public relations manager John Atkinson said Johnny Richmond, the Auburn City Schools employee and crossing guard known as Mr. Penny, remained in critical condition at the hospital a day after undergoing surgery for the injuries.

Auburn police, responding to a request from a concerned relative, found Richmond at his Boykin Street home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head Monday morning.

On Monday, well-wishers began stopping at the corner of Samford Avenue and Dean Road to leave handmade signs, flowers, candles and pennies where Richmond spent his mornings and afternoons escorting children across the road.

Among the people leaving trinkets and messages for Richmond Tuesday morning were school system employees Jan Swiderski and Holly Beck, who walked to the corner from the nearby ACS main office to leave Auburn University shakers.

“He’s just a great guy — this is his corner. He puts a smile on your face no matter what,” Swiderski said.

Beck said children and adults would wave to Richmond as they passed the crossing.

“It’s just sad driving by this corner this morning and not seeing his hand go up — and maybe never again,” Beck said.

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Last update: 11:23 p.m. Monday

Parents and school staff spent the Monday struggling to explain to students what happened to the beloved local crossing guard known as Mr. Penny, who remained on life support at East Alabama Medical Center late Monday night.

“ … And we can’t answer those kinds of things,” Auburn City Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins said.

Johnny Richmond, a 37-year employee of Auburn City Schools known as Mr. Penny to generations of school children, was found at his Auburn residence with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to Auburn Police who responded at the request of a worried relative.

Jenkins said counselors will be available Tuesday for students and staff at Dean Road Elementary School, Auburn High School, and Drake Middle School.

“It was a real shock to all of us,” Jenkins said. “ … You just expect when you walk outside to see that smiling face.”

Jenkins said Richmond underwent surgery Monday afternoon for his injuries.

There were conflicting reports of Richmond’s death Monday on social media and local news outlets after EAMC prematurely reported his passing to Auburn City Schools. The hospital called the announcement an honest mistake.

Jenkins said the system was inundated with calls from parents, former students and others whose lives Richmond had touched seeking information on what had happened to the avid Auburn University fan known for leading students in cheers as they crossed the intersection of Samford Avenue and Dean Road under his supervision.

“I have been amazed today how many adults called us in tears,” Jenkins said. “Mr. Penny is a very active part of the lives of a lot of children.”

Jenkins said Richmond’s influence on young lives stretched beyond Dean Road and the nearby crossing.

Wanda Lewis, president of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, said Mr. Penny routinely volunteered to participate in programs that benefited the organization.

“Where Auburn City Schools were involved, he was always willing to be involved,” Lewis said. “My heart goes out to the children. This is sad for all of us, but my concern is for the children and how they will deal with this because they know him and love him.”

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said he received phone calls from his children, both Dean Road alumni, who wanted an update about the longtime crossing guard.

“They were particularly sad about that,” Jones said.

Jenkins said the system’s main office learned of the incident late Monday morning.

The only apparent sign that something was wrong Monday was Richmond’s absence from his post at the crosswalk and his custodial job at Dean Road Elementary School, Jenkins said.

Richmond is one of three crossing guards employed by the Auburn Public Safety Department, Auburn Police Division Chief Tommy Dawson said.

Jenkins called Richmond’s job performance with the system exemplary and said his unannounced absence Monday alarmed the staff at Dean Road.

“Everybody he works for would tell you he is always on time,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the Dean Road principal drove to Richmond’s home, where she found police investigators.

Mr. Penny was a fixture on the sidelines of Auburn city schools and AU athletic events, a perennial cheerleader for the teams he adored.

“Mr. Penny always gave the impression that he was one of the happiest people you could meet,” Jenkins said.

Staff writer Donathan Prater contributed to this report.

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UPDATE: No change in Mr. Penny's condition Tuesday