4-4-2007

Members of Law Enforcement protect lives everyday. They subdue the violent, they detain the thief and they disarm the armed. But one deputy out of Clackamas County did more this week than merely "protect and serve" . . . he saved a life.

40-year-old Joel Manley donated one of his fully-functional kidneys to his older brother, 41-year-old Jeff Manley.

About six months ago, both of Jeff's kidneys gave out. The 8-year veteran as a deputy with a focus in the corrections field had to go on dialysis or face death.

Manley says his younger brother took the blow, not as a medical issue facing one person, but as an obstacle for the entire family to address. After doctors determined that Joel's kidney was a perfect match for his brother, a transplant was planned.

From his hospital bed, Jeff says he spoke several times with his brother about the procedure and that he didn't want him to feel obligated to undergo the potential risks of the surgery.

Joel replied it was an honor to do this.

The surgery took place Monday and both brothers are doing fine . . . they should be released in a few days. Jeff should be fully recovered in three months and plans to RETURN to his job in the corrections department. Joel's recovery should only take six weeks.