LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland Police Sgt. Mark Eby took his oath to serve and protect to another level when he donated his kidney to his co-worker’s son on June 27.

• Eby, 54, and Det. Tammy Hathcock, co-workers for over 2 decades
• Hathcock's son battled kidney disease since age 11
• Hathcocks, Eby hope their story will inspire others to donate if able 

Felix Hathcock had been waiting a year for a donor. He had been battling kidney disease since he was 11. 

His mother, Detective Tammy Hathcock, shed tears when she talked about Eby’s selfless act. 

“I love him. There’s nothing that I will ever be able to repay or that I could ever say or do for helping my family and my son with this amazing gift,” said Tammy. 

Both divorced with grown children, she and Eby have been co-workers at the Lakeland Police Department for nearly two decades. Never working together, they said they’ve been friends, and she sometimes relied on Eby for repairs around the house. 

Felix was in the Explorers Program growing up, and said Eby taught him how to shoot a gun. He never imagined his instructor would be donating his kidney to him, though.

“I was very, very happy. That’s the least person I expected,” said Felix. 

Tammy said many of their family members have had problems with their kidneys, so they weren’t a match. Running out of options, she mentioned their struggles to Eby. 

“She just mentioned what Felix’s blood type was, and I said, 'Well I’m the same blood type.' That’s what started the process going,” Eby recalled. 

He took several tests and learned he was a match. 

“I was surprised at first to randomly be a match, especially at my age,” said Eby. 

The Hathcocks took a sigh of relief when they learned Eby was willing to move forward with the transplant. 

“It’s crazy, because I had other people and family and friends, and they were like, 'I have to think about that,' and there was zero hesitation with him,” Tammy said. 

Having been operated on before, Eby said he was actually excited about the procedure, especially after he learning he was in good health at 54 years old.

“It wasn’t that bad. It actually was a lot less of an ordeal physically than what I expected,” Eby said. 

As one of the senior members on the force, he said he wanted to be a role model. The Hathcocks and Eby hope their story inspires others to get tested, and donate their organs if they’re able.