HOPE — Sgt. Daniel Oller saved the life of fellow Sgt. D.J. Johnson on June 15.

Oller didn’t do it by taking a bullet – he donated a kidney.

The two sergeants work in the same office at Hope Police Department. They learned Oller was a perfect match after a nationwide donor search.

“In my mind I knew I would get a kidney. I never doubted it. I kept saying I was next in line for a miracle. God sent Oller, and he came through. What can you say about the guy?” Johnson said.

Johnson helped train Oller as a police officer and has known him for five years.

“When he came to the police force, I helped him along to be successful in his job. Now he is a sergeant. It’s ironic we share the same office. I never would have thought I had a guy sitting right next to me to save my life,” Johnson said.

Pam Silvestri, public affairs director with the Southwest Transplant Alliance in Dallas, said it’s time-consuming to test for a matching donor. She said Johnson’s case is unique because the 49-year-old is black and Oller, 31, is white. She said matches usually are among people of the same race.

Several members of the department volunteered for the testing, including Detective Howard Whittle, Sgt. Johnny Weaver and patrolman Daniel Stewart.

Police Chief J.R. Wilson praised his officers.

“It was very courageous, and I’m very proud of them,” Wilson said.

“The other guys are pitching in to help cover the patrols. They knew this was coming, and everybody is doing their jobs and keeping the city covered.”