Man's confrontation with police leads to life-saving event

Channel 9 was at an emotional reunion between a cancer patient and the officer he credits for saving his life.

Eyewitness News reporter Ken Lemon learned how the officer's awareness and compassion led to the patient's diagnosis.

Officer Jarod Ewers helped subdue Andrew Michalak during the confrontation at Franklin Square in January of last year. They are now friends.

"He changed my life,” Ewers said.

Ewers realized during the encounter that Michalak had a seizure and drove him from jail to the hospital.

Michalak discovered he had stage 4 brain and lung cancer that would have killed him in three months.

"He saved my life," Michalak

Michalak, a former U.S. Marine, was eager for a chance to fight for a longer life.

Michalak told Lemon he was recently given eight weeks to live.

He was weaker, but he was not defeated.

"I'm still living," Michalak said.

He said Ewers is the reason why he had more than a year to celebrate life with his family members and friends, who are happy Ewers was the arresting officer.

"You are amazing,” Michalak’s sister, Dorothy Westbrook, told Ewers. “You had the foresight. You had the compassion to look into it."

Ewers said Michalak's strong belief that he will find peace with God, even in the face of death, is humbling.

"(Michalak) made me do a little soul searching,” Ewers said. “Do I have the type of faith and trust that he has?"

Michalak said he wants to transition from life to death at home with his family. He and his family said they are ready for that. Ewers said he wishes his newfound friend had more time."

Michalak was leaving his job at Hooters in Gastonia the night he and officer Ewers got into a confrontation.

The owners of that restaurant will hold a fundraiser on July 28 to help cover the costs Michalak's medical bills and his memorial service.

Cox Media Group