In the summer of 1967, a single photograph captured an extraordinary moment of courage and quick thinking — a moment that would not only save a man’s life but also earn international recognition for the photographer who witnessed it. The image, later titled “The Kiss of Life,” remains one of the most iconic photographs in journalism. It documents a split second in which an electrical worker fought to revive a colleague who had come into direct contact with a high-voltage line.
Today, more than fifty years after its publication, the photograph continues to move viewers around the world. It stands as a reminder of the bravery of everyday workers and the power of photojournalism to preserve stories that might otherwise fade.
A Routine Drive Becomes a Historic Moment
Rocco Morabito, a photographer for the Jacksonville Journal, had no expectation of capturing a career-defining photograph on the day of the incident. According to his later interviews, he was on his way to cover a minor assignment near West 26th Street in Jacksonville, Florida. The job was simple, the route predictable, and Morabito reportedly felt a sense of boredom as he drove through the neighborhood.
That sense of routine changed instantly when he noticed a commotion near a utility pole. Workers appeared alarmed, and people on the street were beginning to gather. Morabito slowed his car to get a better view, unaware that he was approaching a moment that would come to define both his career and the lives of the men involved.
A High-Voltage Accident on the Power Lines
Two electrical line workers were performing maintenance on a power distribution system. One of them, identified in reports as J.D. Champion, was positioned near the top of the pole. While adjusting equipment, Champion accidentally made contact with a high-voltage line estimated to be carrying more than 4,000 volts of electricity.
The shock rendered him unconscious immediately. Fortunately, Champion had been secured with a safety belt, preventing him from falling to the ground and sustaining additional injuries. However, his breathing and pulse stopped almost instantly, leaving him suspended high above the ground, unresponsive.
To understand the severity, it is important to note that accidental exposure to such voltages can be fatal within seconds. Comparatively, historical electric chairs used voltages significantly lower than the one that struck Champion, illustrating the critical danger he faced.
A Co-Worker Acts Without Hesitation
On a lower section of the pole, another electrician, Randall G. Thompson, witnessed the accident as it happened. Realizing the urgency, he climbed toward Champion as quickly as possible. Onlookers described the moment as both chaotic and silent — chaotic because of the fear rising among those watching, yet silent because the rescue depended on one worker’s ability to act calmly under pressure.
Thompson assessed his colleague’s condition and understood immediately that he needed to begin life-saving efforts. With no time to descend and no space for equipment, he started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while balancing high above the ground.
His decision to begin resuscitation directly on the pole was later recognized as an act of exceptional courage. Performing first aid at ground level is challenging enough; doing so while secured to a narrow utility structure demanded strength, skill, and focus.
A Photographer’s Instinct Takes Over
As Thompson worked to revive Champion, Morabito stopped his vehicle and reached for his camera. His training as a photojournalist allowed him to recognize instantly that this was more than an accident — it was a life-or-death struggle unfolding in real time.
Morabito moved into position, documented the scene, and then quickly called emergency services. His photograph captured Thompson giving rescue breaths to Champion, suspended in his harness high above the street. The image portrayed the urgency, the humanity, and the physical difficulty of the rescue with remarkable clarity.
Within minutes, additional workers reached the pole, and emergency crews arrived. Champion began showing faint signs of life as the rescue efforts continued. By the time medical responders transported him to the hospital, he had regained a pulse and was breathing again.
A Photo That Saved a Career — and Captured a Legacy
Although Morabito had been assigned to cover a completely different story that day, the photograph he captured overshadowed any concerns from his editors. In later retellings, Morabito said his supervisor initially questioned why he had abandoned his assignment. However, once the photo was developed and the newsroom saw its significance, all doubts evaporated.
The photograph was published widely throughout the United States and quickly gained international attention. Editors praised both its technical composition and its emotional depth. The title “The Kiss of Life” was coined soon after publication and has remained associated with the image ever since.
Earning the Pulitzer Prize
In 1968, Rocco Morabito was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography, the highest honor in American journalism. The award committee cited the image’s extraordinary demonstration of courage, immediacy, and human connection.
The photograph is now considered one of the defining images of 20th-century journalism. It is frequently used in training programs for journalists, first responders, and safety professionals. More importantly, it is remembered for its portrayal of an ordinary worker stepping up to save a colleague under extraordinary circumstances.
What Happened After the Rescue?
Both men survived the incident. Champion required medical treatment but recovered fully from the electrical shock. Thompson, who performed the rescue, continued his career as an electrical worker and was widely recognized for his bravery.
In interviews years later, Thompson expressed that he was simply doing what needed to be done: “I just reacted,” he said. “Anyone in my position would have done the same.”
Morabito continued photographing for the Jacksonville Journal for many years. Though he captured countless images throughout his career, The Kiss of Life remained his most enduring work, admired for its unique blend of documentary journalism and human compassion.
Why the Photograph Still Resonates
More than five decades later, the image continues to appear in articles, exhibitions, safety manuals, and educational programs. Its lasting impact can be explained by several factors:
-
Human connection – The photograph captures a moment where one person’s immediate action saves another’s life.
-
Courage under pressure – Thompson’s presence of mind demonstrates what trained professionals can accomplish even in dangerous circumstances.
-
Photojournalism’s role – Morabito preserved a moment that would otherwise have been lost after the emergency subsided.
-
A universal message – The image represents cooperation, responsibility, and the instinct to help others in critical situations.
A Story That Continues to Inspire
For many viewers, the photograph is a reminder of the risks electrical workers and first responders face daily. It also highlights the importance of safety training, situational awareness, and immediate response in emergency situations.
Most of all, The Kiss of Life endures because it captures a single, deeply human truth: the ability of one person to make a life-saving difference when it matters most.