PHOENIX — In an emotional reunion, a mother and son reunited with the people who saved his life over two decades ago.
Jarrod Dorsey was just two years old when when his father John found him at the bottom of their family pool. The drowning left a lasting impression on the Glendale firefighters that responded but especially Joe Sandman. At the time, Sandman had young children of his own and he immediately connected with the Dorsey family.
The first responders worked tirelessly to save Dorsey's life. Sandman humbly explains methodology was responsible for their success. Dorsey eventually made a miraculous full recovery in the hospital. Sandman visited him during his stay and hoped to see Dorsey again when he was grown.
Sandman even gifted one of his uniform shirts to Dorsey's mother shortly after the incident. He hoped Dorsey's mother would pass the shirt along to Dorsey when he was grown, along with it, the memory of the firefighters he made such an impression on. This wish came true 21 years later.
"I didn't think this day would come. I knew you were doing well but I was always excited to see where'd you end up", says Sandman.
The reunion brought together crews from both Phoenix and Glendale Fire Departments. Sandman worked for Glendale at the time of the drowning incident but now works for Phoenix. Dorsey is currently working to become a veterinarian.
