In July 1967, a hot afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida, photographer Rocco Morabito was driving near West 26th Street, feeling bored and uninspired about what he expected to be just another ordinary assignment. As a staff photographer for the Jacksonville Journal, he mostly covered local events and everyday stories, so nothing unusual was expected that day. But soon, Morabito’s routine would be interrupted by a moment that would forever change his career.
Two electrical linemen from the Jacksonville Electric Authority were working high above the street on a power pole. Among them was Randall Champion, who suddenly touched a live, high-voltage wire carrying more than 4,000 volts. The shock was so strong that it stopped his heart instantly, a voltage twice that used in an electric chair. Champion hung unconscious, suspended by his safety harness, his life hanging by a thread.
His coworker, J.D. Thompson, saw this terrifying accident unfold and acted immediately. Without hesitation, Thompson climbed the pole, unhooked his tools, and pressed his mouth to Champion’s to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Balancing high above the ground, Thompson fought to save his friend while a crowd watched breathlessly from below. Alerted by the gathered onlookers, Morabito quickly pulled over, grabbed his camera, and started snapping pictures of this breathtaking scene.
After several intense minutes, Champion showed signs of life—a faint breath and a small movement. Paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital, where he survived. Morabito’s photo of the rescue, later called “The Kiss of Life,” was published in the Jacksonville Journal and spread worldwide. It won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1968, becoming one of the most unforgettable images in photojournalism history.
The photo captures more than just a rescue; it reveals the strength of human courage, the power of quick action, and the deep bond between colleagues. Decades later, “The Kiss of Life” continues to inspire people as a symbol of hope and heroism.
