Two children were recognized on Friday by El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder with 9–1–1 Hero Awards.

On Feb. 6, 11-year-old Rachel Reyes called 9–1–1 because her mother was choking in their home. She had the presence of mind to stay on the line for 12 minutes and give dispatchers updates to help medical crews deal with the crisis when they arrived to the home.

“I just like to do the right thing,” Rachel said. “I’m glad my Mom didn’t die.”

Leon Conn, 12, called 9–1–1 on Nov. 22 because his mother had a medical emergency. Leon provided the address and phone number to crews and stayed on the line until help arrived.

“My Dad taught me that 9–1–1 is one of the most useful phone numbers, and I called it,” Leon said. “If something like this happens to anyone you should always be calm.”

“These kids are our future and these are brave children,” Linda Simmons, a 9–1–1 education coordinator and dispatcher, told a group assembled for Friday’s ceremony. “You are heroes to us.”