The Oklahoma City Police Department held its first blood drive of the 12 months Wednesday.
The occasion was held in honor of an Oklahoma County deputy who was critically injured in a capturing whereas on responsibility final 12 months.
Dep. Mark Johns with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office by no means thought he can be the one to say “thank you” to donors.
Johns greeted fellow officers whereas they donated blood in a convention room on the division’s downtown Oklahoma City headquarters.
“Just wanted to tell you thank you for giving blood today,” John stated.
The veteran regulation officer was in a position to attend the occasion because of somebody who sat in a donor chair for an hour.
“Taking an hour out of your life, out of your day,” Johns stated. “Could be so important to an hour in someone else’s life.”
Johns obtained one liter of donated blood in August 2022 after he was shot whereas within the line of responsibility.
A bullet hit a serious artery in his groin. The different bullets took the lifetime of his co-worker and finest buddy Sgt. Bobbie Swartz.
“That was a bad day,” Johns stated.
The Oklahoma Blood Institute and its donors helped flip that dangerous day right into a miracle and numerous others.
“Every one donation can impact up to three lives of patients from the hospitals,” Emma Meyer with the Oklahoma Blood Institute stated. “So, we’re looking at the impact today of 150 here in our local hospitals who are going to benefit from this blood drive.”
As for Johns, he’s nonetheless on the street to restoration.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Johns stated. “God’s giving me strength every day.”
Johns was grateful for the present of regulation officers on the lifesaving occasion.
“I know that’s what Oklahoman’s are about,” Johns stated.
Oklahoma City Police will maintain three extra blood drives this 12 months, and the general public can go to OBI.org for different areas to donate.
publish credit score to Source link