A California deputy at the end of his shift this week battled thick smoke to save a non-verbal child with Down syndrome from a burning mobile home.
The rescue happened Tuesday afternoon as Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy Alfredo Flores was returning from a domestic disturbance when he heard the call about the fire, KFSN-TV reports. He headed to the address, and when he arrived, the 12-year-old boy's upset older brother told him about his sibling, Angel, trapped in the mobile home.
Angel, who is non-verbal and has Down syndrome, had barricaded himself in a bathroom, and his brother couldn't reach him because of the smoke.
When Flores, an eight-year veteran of the department, experienced the same problems trying to get to Angel.
"I don't think I lasted a minute in there, to be honest, due to the smoke and all the smoke I was inhaling," Flores told KFSN.
After three attempts and grabbing a wet cloth for his face, Flores was finally able to reach Angel. Although the video from Flores' body camera is obscured as he pulls Angel out, both can be heard breathing heavy as they exit the house.
Angel's brother and family were grateful for Flores' efforts. And Sheriff Mike Boudreaux recognized bravery.
"This was very heroic," he said. "As I talked to him, and I said, 'Look, son, I'm very proud of you. This was an act of heroism.' And he said, 'Sir, he says, it's just my job,' and he really meant it. He's just a humble guy, and just incredibly proud of him."
For Flores, the person who showed real bravery was the boy he rescued.
"I don't know how long he was inside that room, but for me, he's my hero,"
