Liver Of Slain Nichols Hills Fire Chief Transplanted Into Friend

Surgeons at Integris Baptist Medical Center in northwest Oklahoma City are implanting the liver of murdered Nichols Hills Fire Chief Keith Bryan into a colleague and friend.

Thursday, September 22nd 2011, 12:28 pm

By: News 9


News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – Surgeons at Integris Baptist Medical Center in northwest Oklahoma City are implanting the liver of murdered Nichols Hills Fire Chief Keith Bryan into a colleague and friend.

A man walked into Bryan's home Tuesday night in Mustang, and shot him once in the head. Bryan's wife told investigators before the shooter left, he said Bryan should have hired him. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says it's not sure yet what the motive was for the killing.

9/21/11 Related Story: OSBI Pursues Leads In Nichols Hills Chief's Death
9/21/11 Related Story: Wife Of Slain Nichols Hills Fire Chief Says Shooter Spoke To Her

Two weeks before his death, Bryan joked about giving his liver to good friend Ted Wilson, the Oklahoma City Fire Department's chaplain. Wilson has waited for a transplant for 10 years.  Wednesday night, his family learned Bryan was a match.  Bryan's family says he would have wanted to help his friend.

"Keith jokingly said, ‘Well, it might be a good thing, but one of these days I will give you my liver," said Bryan's brother-in-law, David Reddick. "He gave his word on something and he would break his back to make sure it was good."

9/21/11 Related Story: Murdered Fire Chief May Give Life Even In Death

Wilson's son says his father was speechless when he learned he'd get Bryan's liver.  With the full support of Bryan's family, doctors began the transplant procedure Thursday morning. The surgery should be finished around 3 p.m.

 9/21/11 Related Story: Investigators Say Nichols Hills Fire Chief May Not Be Target

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