On July 17, 1967, a moment of unimaginable danger unfolded high above the ground. Florida lineman Randall Champion, working to maintain power lines, touched a high-voltage line and was immediately struck by 4,000 volts of electricity. The jolt caused his heart to stop, and he collapsed, lifeless, to the steel beams of the tower.

But in that moment of crisis, there was no hesitation. J.D. Thompson, a coworker and close friend, didn’t think twice. Without a second of doubt, he climbed up to Champion’s motionless body and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, determined to save his life. For several minutes, he fought for Champion’s survival, not stopping until the paramedics arrived.

Miraculously, Champion survived. Against all odds, he returned to work just a week later—alive, thanks to the quick, selfless actions of his friend.

At the time, photographer Rocco Morabito happened to be nearby, capturing the heroic scene. His camera immortalized the moment in a photograph that would later be called “The Kiss of Life.” The powerful image, which shows J.D. giving Champion mouth-to-mouth, quickly became one of the most iconic and emotionally charged photos ever taken, symbolizing the purest form of bravery, friendship, and the will to save a life.

It’s a moment frozen in time, reminding us that sometimes, heroes emerge in the most unexpected ways—and that true friendship can mean giving everything to save someone you love.