VIDOR, Texas — Back in September 2024 two Vidor police officers saved two children who were trapped in a burning home.
On October 31 the two officers, Michael Stephenson and Ashton Moss, received congressional medal from Congressman Randy Weber for their life-saving actions.
Weber stopped by the Vidor Police Department to give out the awards.
The officers told 12News they were speechless. Moss says the award is an honor ad he's proud of the work he and Stephenson continue to do to keep the city safe.
Stephenson and Moss were beaming with pride as they accepted their Randy Weber Challenge Coins, congressional records and flags that once flew above the U.S. Capitol.
These prestigious gifts are a thank you to the officers.
With quick thinking, the two officers were able to remove an A/C unit inside a room so two kids could be pulled through a window.
As a father of two, Stephenson says he thought of his own children in those moments.
"Anytime kids are involved, you want to get there. If you have kids you think about your kids and what you would want for your kids you'd want the best," Stephenson said. "You don't do it for the award you do it save lives and that's really all you think about."
Weber, who represents the 14th District says this is an important moment for him too. He tells 12News it is the perfect chance to highlight how special Southeast Texas first responders are.
"I have eight grandkids and so when they pulled those two kids out it just tugged at my heart strings in a good way. So grateful for them," Weber said.
Stephenson says that being a police officer is about more than putting bad guys in jail, but also about helping the people they serve.