But there's one thing he didn't expect to need: a new kidney.
Riddell, who is the son of two former New Castle County officers, started the search to find a donor.
He got in touch with Kidneys for Communities, an organization dedicated to building a network of support among specific communities such as first responders, farmers and ranchers, and churches.
Because of Riddell's connection to law enforcement, Kidneys for Communities was able to use their resources to advocate for him and share his story.
On January 15, 2026, Riddell received his new kidney from an anonymous donor.
Riddell is considered the first success story to come out of Kidneys for Communities' partnership with the City of Philadelphia, which has been led by Adam K. Thiel, the current City Managing Director and former Fire Commissioner.
Riddell was recently invited to the Philadelphia Police Training Center in Northeast Philadelphia to take a tour, meet officers, and engage in simulation training exercises.
Now, with his new lease on life, he is looking forward to resuming his career path to become a law enforcement officer in a K9 unit.
To learn more, watch the video above or visit the Kidneys for Communities website.
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