Some photographs freeze history in a single frame. They capture moments so powerful that words alone struggle to describe them. One such image is the Pulitzer Prize–winning photograph “The Kiss of Life,” taken in 1967 by photojournalist Rocco Morabito. The dramatic photograph shows a desperate rescue high atop a utility pole—one man unconscious after a deadly electric shock and another risking his own life to save him with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The story behind this photograph is not just about journalism—it is about courage, quick thinking, and the extraordinary bond between coworkers.

A Routine Day Turns Dangerous

On July 17, 1967, two electrical linemen, Randall G. Champion and J.D. Thompson, were working on a utility pole in Jacksonville, Florida. Their task was routine maintenance on power lines—dangerous work, but something they were trained to handle every day.

But in a split second, the routine turned into a life-threatening emergency.

While working near the top of the pole, Champion accidentally touched a live electrical line carrying more than 4,000 volts. The powerful surge of electricity passed through his body instantly, knocking him unconscious.

The shock stopped his breathing and likely his heartbeat as well. However, Champion’s safety harness—a standard piece of equipment for linemen—prevented him from falling to the ground. Instead, he hung suspended from the pole, lifeless and motionless.

Below him was his coworker, J.D. Thompson.

A Life-or-Death Decision

Thompson immediately realized the severity of the situation. Without hesitation, he climbed up the pole toward his colleague.

When he reached Champion, it looked like his friend was already dead. Yet Thompson refused to give up. Standing on the pole and secured by his own belt, he tilted Champion’s head back and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, forcing air into his lungs.

This type of rescue breathing—often called the “kiss of life”—can supply oxygen to someone who has stopped breathing until their body begins functioning again.

High above the ground, balancing on the pole and holding his unconscious coworker, Thompson continued the life-saving breaths.

Then something happened.

Champion’s body jerked slightly. Thompson later recalled that he felt a faint pulse and realized there was still life left in his friend.

The Photographer Who Captured History

At the same time this dramatic rescue was unfolding, a local newspaper photographer happened to be nearby.

Rocco Morabito, a photographer for the Jacksonville Journal, had been driving through the area when he noticed a commotion near the utility pole. Hearing people shouting from the ground, he stopped his car and quickly assessed the situation.

Morabito grabbed his camera and took a photograph of the moment when Thompson pressed his mouth against Champion’s in an attempt to revive him.

The image he captured was extraordinary.

It showed two men suspended high above the ground, one desperately trying to breathe life into the other. The dramatic composition and emotional intensity turned the moment into one of the most famous photographs in the history of journalism.

Morabito would later win the 1968 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography for the image.

Bringing Champion Back to Life

After Champion showed signs of life, Thompson carefully unfastened his coworker’s harness and carried him down the pole. On the ground, he and another worker continued resuscitation efforts until paramedics arrived.

Against all odds, Champion survived.

He recovered from the accident and lived for another 35 years, passing away in 2002 at the age of 64.

The rescue was not just a moment of bravery—it was a demonstration of how quick thinking and basic life-saving skills can make the difference between life and death.

Why “The Kiss of Life” Became Iconic

“The Kiss of Life” stands out among historic photographs because it captures human compassion in its purest form.

Unlike staged images or planned news shots, this photograph shows a spontaneous moment of heroism. There are no dramatic poses or rehearsed actions—just a man doing everything he can to save another human being.

The image also highlights the dangers faced daily by utility workers and other professionals who work in high-risk environments.

But above all, the photograph symbolizes something universal: the instinct to help another person, even when the situation is dangerous or uncertain.

A Moment That Still Inspires

More than half a century later, the story of Randall Champion and J.D. Thompson continues to inspire people around the world.

It reminds us that heroism doesn’t always come from famous figures or grand gestures. Sometimes it comes from ordinary people who refuse to give up when someone else’s life is at stake.

One breath.
One decision.
One photograph.

Together, they created one of the most powerful images ever captured—a moment when compassion literally brought someone back to life.