Port of Seattle First Responder reunites with man he saved from heroin overdose

  • Source: FOX 40
  • Published: 12/01/2017 12:00 AM

At just 23 years old, Zachary Oehrke knew how his life would end. "I told myself I was going to die a heroin addict," he said. "I told myself that was going to be my fate." His fate changed forever at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on November 2. He overdosed on heroin in the bathroom, and Port of Seattle Fire Captain David Washington saved his life. "I remember telling him that you need to get a support system, not ever thinking that I was ever going to see him again," Washington said. Just a few weeks later, they reunited at the New Hope Recovery Center in Modesto where Oehrke is recovering. Washington's chief recently called him into his office and asked if he would want to see the young man whose life he saved. "I just started bawling because it resonated in my life, like this could be my son," Washington told FOX40. "It doesn't matter what nationality we come from, it matters how we care for each other and that's what hit me the hardest."



Comments

We welcome comments from registered users. Comments are solely the responsibility of those who post them; their viewpoints are not endorsed by the Daily Dispatch and DailyDispatch.com. (read more)
Highlight
ship name
no comments have been added


FREE QUICK SUBSCRIBE
Sign up to subscribe to custom state Daily Dispatch emails for free

click to subscribe