Sebastien Metz was a Guardian Angel to Denver. Now he needs your help.

Metz is widely recognized as the man responsible for bringing the Guardian Angels to Denver. Citizens, wearing trademark red berets and jackets, walk neighborhoods around downtown Denver, armed with radios and a passion for helping those in need.

But Tuesday, the founder of Guardian Angels street patrols in Denver sat in a wheelchair at Craig Hospital, his speech barely louder than a whisper. Metz, 40, recently underwent a daylong heart surgery in California. He experienced several complications when his heart stopped beating during that surgery and now faces extensive rehabilitation to recover his vision, memory and ability to move.

Metz is undergoing rehabilitation at Craig:

Kaiser will fund up to 60 days of rehabilitation. Anyone who wants to help with additional expenses can send donations to the Sebastian Metz Family Fund at Mountain States Bank, 1635 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80128. There will be a silent auction and candlelight march starting at 4267 Tennyson St., Unit A, in Lakewood from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday.

More news and a picture here.