Wounded Oak Creek Lt. spreading the word about importance of blood donation

WAUWATOSA-Already a hero credited with saving lives the day a gunman walked into the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, retired police Lieutenant Brian Murphy continue to give the gift of life.

Murphy, says he survived hours of surgery thanks to blood donations.

He attended a blood drive at the Milwaukee County Zoo the day after Christmas to personally thank those who came out to donate and to put out the call for others to do the same. 

\"The real heroes are the people who come and donate blood,\" Lt. Murphy said, \"Because you're giving it to someone you don't know, you're volunteering and you're giving a part of your own body to someone else that benefits. I don't think there's anything more heroic.\"

The blood drive at the zoo is going on until 7 p.m the 26th and then 7a.m. until 7 p.m. on the 27th.

\"It's extremely important to come out,\" Lt. Murphy continued, \"especially this time of year. The blood donated is very low. We're hoping to get 800 units over the next two days and you never know when you're going to need help.\" 

Members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin also supported the effort and joined Murphy and dozens of others in donating blood.