Piedmont posthumously awards sheriff's deputy with special recognition

Lee County, Ala. (April 3, 2026) — Piedmont Columbus Regional has posthumously named Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class and Lee County Deputy Sheriff Kevin Hagberg as the organization’s First Friday Hero for the month of April.

Deputy Hagberg served our nation in the US Army and was deployed to Afghanistan. He then worked for the Russell County Sheriff’s Office and most recently at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The 55-year-old suffered multiple strokes at the end of 2025. With the support of his wife, Jennifer, Deputy Hagberg became an organ donor— continuing his legacy of service to his country and community. Hospital staff, family and local law enforcement lined the hallways at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown on January 8 for an honor walk to pay their respects.

A ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Deputy Hagberg, and to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation — this hero’s final act of service — will be held April 13 at 8 a.m. CDT at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Opelika.

April is National Donate Life Month, and the need for organ donors is critical with over 100,000 people in the United States on the transplant waiting list. According to the LifeLink Foundation, one donor can save up to eight lives. Go to LifeLinkFoundation.org for more information on organ donation.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in 2016 to recognize first responders and everyday heroes each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.