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Jacksonville, Fla., City Council Honors Retired JEA lineman J.D. Thompson for Lifesaving Act

The Jacksonville, Fla., City Council recently honored retired JEA lineman J.D. Thompson for a heroic lifesaving act on July 17, 1967.

As a 26-year-old lineworker, Thompson risked his own life to save the life of his friend and co-worker Randall Champion. The moment was captured on film in a Pulitzer-Prize winning picture known as “The Kiss of Life.”   

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 Thompson, JEA CEO and Managing Director Vickie Cavey and Jacksonville Councilman Mike Gay (photo from JEA)

The Council approved a resolution honoring Thompson’s heroism and renamed the city’s Electric Avenue to J. D. Thompson Street.

The street is on JEA private property at the entrance to Northside Generating Station.

JEA is the public power utility for Jacksonville, Fla.