Merriam officer with double lung transplant works first shift
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dalton Peavler was born with a genetic disease that kept him in the hospital for most of his life.
He is getting ready for his first solo shift patrolling the streets of Merriam.
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“Every time I put this uniform on, it’s one of those moments where I can’ believe it,” Peavler said.
Two years ago, Peavler wasn’t in a cop uniform. He was used to hospital gowns and an oxygen tank by his side.
“At that point in my life, there was no other option. I probably would’ve died in a year or so.”
Peavler was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic life-threatening disease that damages a person’s lungs and digestive system.
“From 21-22, I had like a 35 percent lung function and I spent most of my life around that percent and then the last few years I was at 18 percent.”
His only option for a healthier life was a double lung transplant, a decision that triggered a lot of emotions.
“Anxiety, fear obviously. But I was like ‘this is it, this is how I get to where I want to go.'”
In October of 2022, Peavler woke up from surgery and took his first breath from two working lungs. It was a sigh of relief.
“I’m still learning the differences in my body and what I can and can’t do.”
Seven months later, he was hired by the Merriam police. He spent the last the last year training. Now, at 32-years-old, he’s the one answering the call for help.
“I was always the person that needed help. I always needed to be saved and I—for the first time in my life—get to b the person that’s there for people.”
Peavler says he doesn’t know his organ donor, but he’s not taking a breath of fresh air for granted.
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“I think he’s up there watching me and I try to serve him every day by doing this job and being the best person I can be.”
Peavler says he wants his story to bring awareness to organ donations and cystic fibrosis. Research shows people with the disease are living longer, to age 50.
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