Police Officer Saves Colleague's Life With Kidney Donation

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COPPELL (CBS11) - Bonded in blue and now through a body organ, two Coppell police officers are recovering Monday after a generous donation by one of the officers leads to life-saving surgery.

Officer Jim Turner suffered through years of kidney problems.

Last year, those ailments turned into kidney failure.  He was put on a transplant waiting list and began dialysis.

"He needed one and he didn't have any," said Officer Peter Dirks with the Coppell Police Department. " I had two, I had an extra. So I felt like hey, he can use mine."

After speaking with his family and praying a lot, Dirks made the decision to give up one of his kidneys to Turner.

"We put our lives on line on the street every day for each other. So this is a lot easier to do than that," said Turner.

The two officers had surgery Friday.

A few days later, Dirks was released and is now at home. He has three holes, a long cut and soreness to show.

But Turner now has his life back.

"We're going to be a lot closer," said Dirks. "He's got a part of me inside of him."

Doctors told Turner he is doing better than expected and the organ is functioning. He could be released on Tuesday.

"I'm doing well and I'm feeling well," said Turner. "I have a long recovery ahead of me, but I'm looking forward to it. I just want to say that me and my family appreciate all the love and support."

Dirk said while he is just happy to help his "brother in blue," the payback jokes have already started.

"Oh I don't feel like taking that report. Or something like that and hold my side or whatever," joked Dirks.

The two officers hope by sharing their journey, it will inspire others.

"You're going to save somebody's life. There are people are there that have been waiting seven years for a kidney," said Dirks. "It'd hurt a little bit, but it's not that bad."

Doctors told Dirks his now single kidney should start operating at 100% within a few months.

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