Man Saved by Wentzville, MO, Fire Captain Returns Favor
"I'm proving them wrong and I love it."
Wentzville Fire Capt. Tommy Shrine, who defied the odds again, is moving on.
This time last year, doctors told his wife, Brittany, that he wasn't expected to survive following complications from heart surgery, KPLR reported.
But, they had no idea who they were dealing with -- the patient hooked to the life support with slim chances.
In 2015, Shrine rescued a teen, John Smith, who fell through the ice. He'd been there for 15 minutes and doctors also gave him slim chances of surviving. But, he also beat the odds.
The rescue led to the movie “Breakthrough.”
Wentzville Fire Chief Steve Mosher felt chills over what happened when Smith showed up.
Brittany said that's when her husband's heart started beating again.
Shrine added: “I just feel blessed that I had a chance to give that young man a future just like now, I feel blessed that he gave me a future."
Mosher said he expected nothing less from his captain.
“We’re talking about a guy who jumped in a frozen lake to save someone’s life. It’s no surprise to me that he’s fighting as hard to save his own life.”
Shrine had a goal in mind -- to attend his son's fire academy graduation and pin his badge on his uniform.
He's now in the process of forming a foundation to help first responders and amputees.
Brittany added: “What makes him who he is, is being able to give back and be there for people in their worst days. It still amazes me every single day."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.