J.D. Thompson, subject of Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Kiss of Life’ photo, honored by city

The former lineman’s rescue of a badly injured coworker prompted new safety training.


  • By Ric Anderson
  • | 8:42 p.m. November 12, 2024
  • | 4 Free Articles Remaining!
Former Jacksonville City Electric lineman J.D. Thompson, in light blue shirt, is honored Nov. 12 with a City Council proclamation commending him for his 1967 rescue of fellow lineman Randall Champion. The rescue, which prompted creation of training methods that continue to be practiced today, was the subject of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo republished internationally. Standing to Thompson's left is Vickie Cavey, JEA CEO and managing director. To her left, holding sign, is Council member Mike Gay. Also shown are family members of Thompson.
Former Jacksonville City Electric lineman J.D. Thompson, in light blue shirt, is honored Nov. 12 with a City Council proclamation commending him for his 1967 rescue of fellow lineman Randall Champion. The rescue, which prompted creation of training methods that continue to be practiced today, was the subject of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo republished internationally. Standing to Thompson's left is Vickie Cavey, JEA CEO and managing director. To her left, holding sign, is Council member Mike Gay. Also shown are family members of Thompson.
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Fifty-seven years after J.D. Thompson raced up a utility pole to administer CPR to a fellow Jacksonville City Electric lineman who had accidentally contacted a power line, Thompson was commended by the Jacksonville City Council on Nov. 12.

J.D. Thompson, right, gives CPR to fellow Jacksonville City Electric lineman Randall Champion in July 1967. The photo by Jacksonville Journal photographer Rocco Morabito won the Pulitzer Prize.
Photo by Rocco Morabito

Thompson, whose July 1967 rescue of coworker Randall Champion was captured in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo by Rocco Morabito, was presented with a proclamation by Council member Mike Gay, who told Thompson he was “what God meant for us to be ... our brother’s keeper.” 

In addition, Gay displayed a street sign for J.D. Thompson St., the new name for a street on private property at the entrance to JEA’s Northside Generating Station. 

Thompson’s rescue prompted the creation of new training measures that remain in place today. 

Thompson, 26 at the time of the rescue, and Champion were working on utility poles along West 26th Street when Champion was jolted with more than 2,400 volts of electricity, stopping his heart and burning a hole in his foot.

Thompson ran to the pole, climbed it and administered CPR to Champion, who hung by his safety belt. 

The photo was captured as Thompson was giving Champion mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The photo, published in the Jacksonville Journal newspaper, was titled “The Kiss of Life.”

Champion, after being revived by Thompson, was able to return to work as a lineman and was later promoted to troubleshooter.

Jacksonville City Electric was renamed Jacksonville Electric Authority in the 1960s and simply JEA in 1998.





 

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