Nate Harrison has spent a lot of time at Research Medical Hospital. Prior to last December, it was as a police officer, but since then it's been as a patient.
"I remember seeing two figures and I couldn't really recognize them, but I knew they were paramedics," he said. "They were chatting and I remember one of them said, 'OK, we got him, let's go.' I remember hearing the sirens of the ambulance."
MORE: Read about Harrison's brush with dead and road to recovery
While his memory is fuzzy, the off-duty Kansas City, Missouri, police officer says at some point he fell off his motorcycle. He lost his leg and with it pints of blood. By all accounts he shouldn't even be here today. But he is, thanks to first responders, who were honored Thursday at Research Medical.
It was all part of EMS Week, a time when hospitals, police departments and fire stations honor the first responders who save countless lives every single day.
First responders reunited with the people they saved.
"I definitely wouldn't be here without them," said Harrison. "They have definitely played a crucial role in my life. I see them in a different light. It's more than just someone doing their job. It's personal to me. It's not flippant. They are very close to my heart."
Now there are two places in Kansas City that Harrison will never forget. The first is the Grandview triangle where he nearly lost his life. The second is Research Medical where a team of doctors, nurses and first responders saved it.
"From the moment I woke up, it was game on," he said. "I've got a wife to take care of. I've got three boys to take care of, they're counting on me, I gotta get better."
So what's next for Harrison? He said once he's made a full recovery, he wants to get back on the police force, and often jokes he's going be a motorcycle cop. But, he admits his ultimate goal is to be a pilot for the KCPD.
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
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