Back from the dead: Community rallies behind officer after heart stopped beating

A Cobb County police officer is literally back from the dead. Doctors brought him back to life after his heart stopped beating during surgery.

“I couldn’t believe I actually died for a whole minute,” said officer Daniel Hicks.

Hicks, 28, has stage four kidney disease. His condition nearly took him away from his wife and 3-year old son.

Hicks needed surgery after fluid developed around his heart.

“I was thinking I was going to wake up in the hospital bed recovering, but I woke up with tubes down my throat,” said Hicks.

Medical staff told Hicks a doctor had to perform CPR for a minute to save his life.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, his family could not see him at the hospital.

He was alone.

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“What’s your strength? What keeps you going?” asked Channel 2 Cobb County bureau Chief Chris Jose.

“My son and my wife. They’re my motivation every day I go to work,” said Hicks.

For the last four and a half years, Hicks has worked as a street cop in Cobb County. Months after surgery, he’s back on the job but it comes with challenges.

To this day, Hicks remains on a kidney transplant list.

“It is very hard dealing with Covid. I’m very at-risk,” said Hicks.

Three days a week, Hicks has dialysis. It’s a procedure to filter his kidneys. From there, he shows up for work.

“I love this job. I love what I do. I love the people in this community,” said Hicks.

Now, it’s the community, who’s helping him get through the holiday season.

“It’s very hard to see these officers’ stories,” said police supporter Kim Peace Hill.

Peace Hill runs a non-profit group called Blue Thanksgiving. She started a “Blue Family Christmas” last year and it grew this year.

“These men and women in law enforcement are just like us. They have concerns and fears, illness and loss,” said Peace Hill.

Blue Family Christmas helped four local law enforcement families this month with gifts and donations.

The group has numerous projects that benefits law enforcement year-round.

To learn more and donate, click here: https://bluethanksgiving.com/news.html

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