On August 13th, 2012, Officer Brandon Lackey with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office was responding to a call when he was shot in the line of duty. Brandon was shot in the right thigh, causing major damage to his femoral vein and artery, resulting in a large amount of blood loss. 

“Based on the demeanor of the deputies around me, they thought I was going to pass away,” said Brandon. “I could see it on their faces; I was in pretty bad shape.” 

Brandon’s fellow deputies applied a tourniquet on his leg to slow the heavy bleeding and rushed him to the hospital. He says that it was clear what the doctors’ priorities were: to get him blood that would save his life. 

“One thing that I vividly remember about being in the Emergency Room is that they were immediately preparing bags of blood,” said Brandon. Brandon received six units of lifesaving blood. “That’s six individual donors. When they gave blood, they had no idea who it would go to,” said Brandon. “They didn’t know it would go to a police officer with a young family who was shot. I’ll never know the blood donors, but without them, I wouldn’t be here.” 

Four months later, Brandon went back to law enforcement duty. He now donates blood regularly with the American Red Cross and encourages others to give too. 

“My story is only one story of people who have been saved by lifesaving blood,” said Brandon. “I just want to encourage all citizens to come out and donate. You never know when that blood will be needed or who it will help. That’s six people who helped save my life.” 

To make an appointment to donate blood, go to www.redcrossblood.org.