KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- A Kannapolis police officer was honored by the Rowan County police community Tuesday.

• Sgt. Jason Hinson is back at work after donating a kidney.
• The man who received the kidney was a total stranger. 

Sergeant Jason Hinson was given the Paul G. Wilson award for going above and beyond the call of duty.

While not on duty, this officer feeds the homeless every Tuesday night, and last year donated a kidney to a total stranger, in order to help a Kannapolis father of two, Brian Frieze to receive one of his own.

 “It made a huge difference in Brian’s life and that was my whole purpose just to make a difference in one person’s life,” says Sergeant Hinson. “And that’s kind of what I strive for every day.”

Both Hinson and Frieze are back to work and fully functioning after their transplant surgeries.