Heroes Who Serve: 5 First Responders Keeping Texas Safe

Texas is home to dedicated first responders who go above and beyond to keep their communities safe. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight EMTs, firefighters and police officers who are making a difference every day.

Check out five outstanding Texas first responders who are making an impact. And if you know a hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a first responder for a chance to be featured in our Heroes Who Serve series on Patch!

Lieutenant Jonathan Head (Granbury) — In November 2024, Lieutenant Jonathan Head of the North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department rescued a 2-year-old boy from a massive apartment fire. The boy’s mother was only able to grab her 4-year-old before thick smoke forced her to rely on firefighters entering through the second-story window. The Lieutenant used an axe to break the glass and because of the toddler’s cries, was able to quickly locate the boy and carry him down the ladder. Despite the odds, the boy was rescued alive because of Head’s heroic efforts. Read more here.

Officer Edwardo Hernandez (Colony) — An Officer with Colony Police Department was recognized for rescuing a man from a burning Tesla in July 2024. After using a fire extinguisher with no avail, Hernandez smashed the window using a Halligan tool and pulled the driver to safety. Moments later the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The driver was hospitalized but made a full recovery thanks to Officer Hernandez’s quick action. Read more here.

Officer Charles Cobb (East Texas) — A mother of two was rescued from a submerged vehicle by Officer Charles Cobb of the West Orange Police Department in August 2024. The woman had a seizure while operating her vehicle and drove into a nearby pond. Her children were able to escape and flag down the officer who rushed to the scene. After breaking the window and pulling the trapped woman to safety with the help of a bystander, Cobb performed CPR and managed to get a pulse before she was transported to the hospital. Read more here.

Officer Juan Pedraza (Houston) — In August 2024, Officer Juan Pedraza took quick and heroic action to save a 9-month-old baby who was choking on a piece of plastic at Cedar Brook Elementary School. The incident was caught on Pedraza’s body camera as he worked for several minutes to dislodge the foreign object. The infant remained silent on the footage as he struggled to breathe before letting out a relieving cry moments later. Officer Pedraza was praised by the school district for his life-saving efforts. Read more here.

Firefighter/Paramedic Ben Roth (Frisco) — Off-duty Frisco Firefighter Ben Roth happened to be in the right place at the right time when he was given field passes at a Chicago Bears game in December 2024. A dozen feet away from a man who collapsed on the grass, Roth rushed over and called for an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) before beginning compressions and CPR. After getting a pulse, the Firefighter was able to gather information from the victim and had him coherent as he was transported to the hospital. Firefighter Ben Roth proved that Texas first responders are always “on duty.” Read more here.

We’re fortunate in Texas to have first responders like these working tirelessly to keep us safe. If you know a local hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch!