The Kiss of Life: A Tale of Courage and Unbreakable Friendship

On July 17, 1967, Florida lineman Randall Champion was performing his high-altitude job, working on a power line, when tragedy struck. In a cruel twist of fate, Randall accidentally made contact with a 4,000-volt line. The electric shock coursed through his body, stopping his heart instantly and leaving him lifeless, suspended in his safety harness, dozens of feet above the ground.

But Randall’s story didn’t end there. His coworker and close friend, J.D. Thompson, refused to let him die that day. Without a moment’s hesitation, J.D. raced up the pole to his fallen friend. In a display of incredible courage and quick thinking, he pressed his lips to Randall’s and began performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation right there, on the crossbar of the power pole. With each breath, J.D. fought to revive Randall, staying committed and unwavering as the seconds ticked by, knowing that every moment mattered.

J.D. kept up the effort until paramedics arrived, and against all odds, Randall began to breathe again. His heart restarted. He survived. Remarkably, just a week later, he was back at work, recovering from the ordeal that should have taken his life.

As fate would have it, photographer Rocco Morabito was on the ground that day, capturing the incredible scene with his camera. In that single frame, he immortalized J.D.’s heroic act of life-saving courage. The photograph, later dubbed “The Kiss of Life,” became a symbol of bravery, friendship, and the extraordinary bond between men who would go to any length to save each other. It would eventually win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for its powerful depiction of human compassion in the face of tragedy.

This photo remains one of the most iconic and moving images ever captured—a reminder of the extraordinary lengths people will go to for the ones they love and the incredible power of friendship. J.D. Thompson’s selfless act continues to inspire us all, showing us that even in the most desperate moments, the bond of friendship can light the way to hope.