GROVES, Texas — The City of Groves is recognizing one of its police officers for rescuing a woman from a burning apartment.
Detective Steven Boudreaux was honored with the Life Saving Award for his bravery when he saved a woman at the Beverly Place Apartments on August 21, 2024.
Boudreaux is being credited with saving the woman's life after she nearly passed out while her apartment burned.
The award was presented to Boudreaux at the Groves City Council meeting Monday night. Everyone at the meeting got to witness the rescue through the body cam footage.
When the video played gasps could be heard around the room, followed by cheers and applause.
The room watched as Boudreaux fought through the blinding smoke.
Boudreaux was scanning the Groves Fire Department's channel when the fire broke out.
"Usually they'll get calls for house fires or CPR in-progress calls before we get them and I like having the heads up," said Boudreaux.
When he arrived at the scene, Boudreaux could hear residents frantically crying for help. That's when his instincts and training kicked in.
"I really don't know what was going through my mind that day," Boudreaux said.
Boudreaux was unable to go through the front door and was forced to use a small ladder to get into the second floor apartment from the balcony.
"It was another resident out there who just walked up with that ladder!" Boudreaux said.
Boudreaux got into the apartment and found a woman lying on the ground, barely conscious. He quickly worked to pull her to safety.
"When I first grabbed her, the reason her arm slipped out of my hand because she pulled it back. She was in the fetal position. She didn't know what was going on," he said.
More than a month later Boudreaux was presented with the Life Saving Award for his selfless actions that saved the victim's life.
"It doesn't surprise me. We have an incredible police department full of men and women that are very dedicated to the community," said Groves Police Department Interim City Marshal Christopher Robin.
Robin says Boudreaux is the kind of hero who represents Groves Police Department's dedication to the public it serves and protects.
"It's really incredible to see this officer respond the way that he did," Robin said.
Robin says the woman Boudreaux saved is recovering.
To view the full body cam footage you can watch it on the Groves Police Department's Facebook.