“God is great” LCSO Maj. Ryan Dawson credits medical miracle to his Christian faith

Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Major Ryan Dawson, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter with North Lenoir Fire & Rescue, responded to a fire call on April 29, 2022. While on the call, he experienced internal bleeding that medical professionals could not stop and he spent the next 23 days in and out of hospitals including Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington and ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

Dawson, who's served his community from the age of 14 as a volunteer firefighter and/or deputy sheriff, loves helping others. Admittedly, his service has taken a toll on his family and body through the years.

“God is great,” said Dawson. “After 23 days, 14 blood transfusions, two endoscopies, one colonoscopy, two vascular artery procedures, one exploratory surgery, many hours of prayer, no food, nutrients in a bag and so many other things, my God performed miracles and saved my life again.”

He attributes his Christian faith to the medical miracle that saved his life and allowed him to share his faith with others. In 2009, Dawson was shot in the neck in the same shooting that cost LCSO Det. Allen Pearson his life. His recovery then involved two surgeries.

“This incident was the second time I have come close to not being here,” said Dawson. “I credit that with God still having a plan for me. I do not ask why, but just follow God’s direction. As with the last incident, I am reminded that I must take time to reflect.”

The doctors said there was nothing more they could do, and referred him to a surgical team to explore and try to locate the bleed that had caused him to lose so much blood.

“When they opened my chest, the bleeding was nowhere to be found,” said Dawson. “It miraculously, with no medical explanation, stopped. I take that as a Christian explanation. God’s hand worked a miracle.”

Dawson is grateful to the people who sat with him at the hospital and helped his kids attempt to maintain a normal life. He’s thankful to the people who showed up to welcome him home, and those who have prayed with him and for him, including people he’s never met. 

“I have loved every minute of it and still desire to serve,” said Dawson. “But this is not just me, it is all your emergency service workers who give away so much of themselves to help those who need help.”

Dawson plans to return to his job but doesn’t know the date. After all his body has been through, his medical team has expressed that it will take some time to regain the strength and energy he needs to mentally and physically return to where he was.

“I am humbled to know that I have been the recipient of more than one miracle of God in my life,” said Dawson. “The reason for that is I am a Christian.”