Slain Oakland officer's organs save four men

[Kadie]

Slain Oakland officer's organs save four men
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 25, 2009


(03-25) 15:32 PDT OAKLAND -- Even in death, Oakland police Officer John Hege has saved four lives.

Hege, who was among four officers killed Saturday by a gunman in East Oakland, has given renewed hope to four men. One now has Hege's heart beating inside him. Two others have his kidneys and a fourth has the 41-year-old officer's liver.

Hege made it be known that if he died, he wanted to be an organ donor. Officials said Wednesday that his action had meant a second chance for the four men.

"He chose in death as he did in life to help those in need," the California Transplant Donor Network said in a statement. "We know those who are receiving his gifts thank him and his family with gratitude and a shared sense of loss at his passing."

The names of the recipients were not disclosed, but officials said all the men live in California. His father said he had been told the four live in the Bay Area.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/25/BASR16N0JT.DTL&tsp=1

Slain Oakland officer's organs save four men
Oakland police Officer John Hege (Oakland Police Dept.)

[tammywammy]

1. It's tragic what happened to him

Thankfully, in his death he help 4 people. I hope his family get some comfort from that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. What a wonderful, and selfless thing to do!

I'm so glad that he did this, and that his family agreed.

So many people could be helped if there were more donations like his...

Out of death...life...

K&R

:patriot:

[lildreamer316]

3. I salute you, Officer Hege!!

How tragic, and how wonderful.

[Justice]

4. I praise his family for having courage to care about others even in their grief