Two Starr County first responders are reflecting on a call they say they will never forget after helping save the life of an unresponsive 1-year-old boy in the Alto Bonito area.

Volunteer firefighter Josue Martinez with the La Grulla Volunteer Fire Department saw a message in a group chat about the boy on Sept. 4, 2026. He rushed to the scene near Elias Lopez Boulevard and Diaz Street.

"I had my kids with me once when I saw that on the chat. I said, 'we've got to go,'" Martinez said. "It's important to respond to calls like that because time is of the essence to get there quicker and faster."

Corporal Norma Gutierrez with the Starr County Sheriff's Office was the first to arrive on scene.

"Upon arrival, I see the mother coming toward me with the child in her [arms]. So I take the child from her, and I place him on the floor to see to assess him, to see what was going on," Gutierrez said.

While Gutierrez assessed the boy, Martinez stepped in to help.

"[The boy's lips were turning purple.] So when I started conducting the back blows, that's when his color started coming back in and he started gasping for air as well," Martinez said.

Martinez said the boy had a high fever. The two responders quickly got him to an ambulance, where he started responding.

For Gutierrez, the moment was personal.

"She handed me her child in this in the type of stress that she was in. I'm a mother myself and for a mother to trust just someone like that, they have to have some kind of respect for whoever is attending to their child," Gutierrez said.

Days later, Martinez returned to check on the boy and his family. His mother, Yaritza Garcia, said her son is back to being himself, happy, playful, and full of life.

Garcia said Sept. 4, 2026, will always be a day she remembers, not only because she feared for her son's life but also because two first responders showed up when her family needed help.

For both Martinez and Gutierrez, they said this is why they serve.

"It's just something that as a person, I'll help whoever needs the help," Gutierrez said.

"Wherever I go, wherever I am — even if I'm off duty — if I see someone who needs help, I'm going to take action," Martinez said.

Watch the video above for the full story.