Army Ranger, Life Saving Organ Donor Honored at Rose Bowl Parade

by Scott Wasserman / FOX 9 News, Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS - A Twin Cities Army Ranger killed more than a year ago in Afghanistan is now being honored for the lives he saved after his death. Every year, Donate Life America honors those who choose to give others a second chance at life during the Tournament of Roses Parade.

As you look around Jill Stephenson’s home, you’ll find a mother honored to have a son who went into the military. Inspired by his great grandfather, a World War II veteran, Ben Kopp became an Army Ranger after high school.

”Ben saw his love of country and felt it was his duty to join the military just like great grandpa did,” Stephenson said.

In July of 2009, during a firefight with the Taliban, Ben saved six fellow Rangers before being shot. He died eight days later at Walter Reed Medical Center. But even after his death, the 21-year-old was saving lives. Judy Mickle was one of dozens of people who received an organ from Ben Kopp.

”Ben literally in no uncertain terms saved my life,” Mickle said. “If I would have not gotten a heart transplant, I would have died.”

Stephenson said family history left no hesitation in her son becoming an organ donor. In 1982, her brother JT died after being hit by a car, and the family chose to donate his organs.

On Jan.1, during the Tournament of Roses Parade, the uncle and nephew who never new each other will be honored together. Jill Stephenson and her mother recently spent a weekend in Pasadena creating floragraphs of their sons. The 16x20 pictures of Ben and JT are made from raw materials and will hang on flags from the Donate Life America float.

”To sit with my mother next to her and her be recognized as JT's mom and me as Ben's mom together is really special,” Stephenson said.

Now close friends with the woman who has Ben’s heart, Jill smiles every time she hears Judy Mickle talk about the difference Ben made.

”What he and Jill did for so many families, the ripple affect is just incredible,” Mickle said.

”To see other families still have the gifts of love and experience in life with their loved ones because of Ben, I feel really honored,” Stephenson said.

There are more than 110,00 adults and children in the United States waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, including 2,700 in Minnesota.