In the fall of 1967, two men, Champion Randall and JD Thompson, stood on top of a power pole high above a bustling city, carrying out their routine maintenance job as electrical workers. They were brothers in their craft—partners who had worked side by side for years, trusting each other with their lives every day. On that fateful day, however, their bond would be tested in a way neither could have anticipated.
As they worked, Champion, who had been at the top of the pole, accidentally scratched a low-voltage line. In an instant, over 4,000 volts of electricity surged through his body—more than twice the voltage of an electric chair. His heart stopped, and the world around him went silent.
The force of the electrical shock was enough to knock Champion unconscious, but by some miracle, his safety harness kept him from falling. Hanging motionless in the air, the man who had worked beside JD for so long seemed lost.
But JD, who had been ascending just below him, didn’t hesitate. He saw the danger. He saw his partner’s lifeless body. Without a second thought, JD sprang into action, risking everything to save the man who was more than just a colleague, but a brother.
In a split second, JD knew there was only one thing he could do: keep Champion’s lungs alive. With no time to perform traditional CPR, JD began what would become known as the “Kiss of Life.” He leaned in, pressed his lips to Champion’s, and breathed life into him, giving him air when he couldn’t breathe on his own. Time seemed to stretch as JD kept his partner’s lungs moving, all while praying that somewhere, deep within Champion’s body, there was still a heartbeat to save.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, JD felt a slight pulse—a sign that his friend was still with him. Relief surged through JD, but he didn’t stop there. He carefully unzipped Champion’s harness, threw the man over his shoulder, and slowly descended from the power pole. With unwavering determination, JD continued to carry his friend to safety.
Once on the ground, other workers rushed to perform CPR. Slowly, almost miraculously, Champion’s heart began to beat again. His breathing returned, and he was revived, thanks to the selfless actions of his partner.
The paramedics arrived soon after, and Champion was rushed to the hospital, where his recovery was nothing short of remarkable. Against all odds, he survived. He would go on to live for another 35 years, until he passed away in 2002 at the age of 64 from heart failure.
Meanwhile, JD Thompson remained by his side, a man who had risked everything to save the life of his brother—his partner—his friend.
The story of that day, captured in an award-winning photograph by Rocco Morabito, became an iconic symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and the deep bond between the two men. The image, titled “The Kiss of Life,” was published in newspapers around the world and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1968. It told a powerful story that transcended words, illustrating the simple yet profound act of one man saving another with the very breath of life.
In this moment of tragedy and triumph, we are reminded that there are brothers who are not friends, and there are friends who are more than brothers. JD and Champion were a living testament to this truth, showing us that real heroes are made not by fame or accolades, but by the quiet, unwavering dedication to the ones we love.
Their story lives on as a reminder that sometimes, the difference between life and death is the simple, selfless act of giving someone else the breath of life—and that true friendship is a bond that can never be broken, no matter the circumstances.