His brother saved his life. A police officer saved his life.

But for Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Spurling, the heroic act didn’t happen in the line of duty, battling bad guys.

Rather, it happened in an operating room at University of Kansas Hospital, where Spurling’s brother, Lawrence Police Officer Kresten Spurling, gave him his right kidney – and with it, the gift of life.

“It’s the kind of thing he’s always done,” Eric said about his brother. “He gave me my life back.”

Eric was a full-time patrol officer for the Sheriff’s Office when, about a year ago, he began to experience severe pain in his sides.

Soon after, his brother Kresten got a call from a fellow officer telling him his brother had been admitted to KU Med.

Then, the news came quickly. One kidney didn’t function, likely never had. And the other was functioning just enough to make his body work.

Suddenly, the family’s life changed.

Eric Spurling, left, and his brother Kresten chat with Kresten's son Jasper, 3, during a benefit hog roast at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds on Saturday. The benefit raised money for Eric's medical expenses after having a kidney transplant. Kresten was the kidney donor.

“It happens real quick,” Eric said. “It’s just, boom, and it changes things forever.”

Months later, he had the non-functioning kidney removed and went back to work for the department at the Douglas County Jail, in the kitchen there.

But after a short time working in the jail, Eric’s health turned south. He knew his other kidney wasn’t working at full strength, and it began to catch up with him.

“The kidney I had left went downhill,” Eric said.

His choices narrowed – basically, having to choose between dialysis and a transplant.

Kresten said after he found out, he and Eric’s other brother, Jason, understood right away what they had to do.

“It wasn’t even a big conversation,” Kresten said.

He and Jason both got tested to see whether their kidneys were compatible, but because of issues with their arteries, only one kidney between them matched up.

It was Kresten’s. He said he didn’t hesitate.

Soon after, both brothers went under the knife. Kresten gave Eric a piece of himself to save his brother.

Kresten said there was no dramatic statement of thanks after the surgery. There didn’t need to be.

All of the thanks Kresten needed came just after his brother left the operating table.

“He told me that he felt better than he had in years,” Kresten said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

After recuperating, both brothers went back to work last Wednesday – Eric back to light duty at the jail, Kresten back to the police department.

Saturday afternoon, friends, family and co-workers gathered at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds to hold a silent auction and roast to help raise money for the brothers – both of whom need help with medical bills.

Dozens of local companies, including Yello Sub, The Community Mercantile, Laird Noller Ford and others donated gift certificates and goods. Local artists and friends also contributed items to the auction.

Eric’s co-workers in the kitchen at the Douglas County Jail organized it, and cook Regina Randel said for her, putting on the benefit was a pleasure.

But Randel said that for Eric’s wife and three children, and for Kresten and the rest of the Spurling family, just having him back and healthy means the world.

“It’s just a blessing,” Randel said.