Heroes Among Us: Local Police Officers Save Two Children from a Burning Home

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True heroism lives right here in our community. This week, we shine a spotlight on an extraordinary act of bravery performed by two remarkable Little Elm police officers. Officers Kakir Alej Chavez and Marcio Cordero demonstrated exceptional courage when they rushed into a burning home without hesitation to save two children trapped inside. Their selfless actions earned them both Life-Saving and Valor Awards – recognitions they truly deserve.

The ceremony footage speaks volumes – these officers entering a smoke-filled home with almost zero visibility, guided only by their commitment to protect the vulnerable. As was powerfully stated during the awards presentation, "That kind of bravery is not taught. It's something that you carry from within." While the media often focuses on divisive stories that generate controversy, these everyday heroes quietly put their lives on the line without seeking recognition.

We also touch on important community developments, including the Little Elm Town Council's recent unanimous vote to approve rezoning of a 10-acre lot near Hillstone Point from agricultural to residential use. To help address questions about this decision, we're excited to welcome Andrew Evans, Little Elm District Representative, to our April 28th podcast. Have questions about this development? Email them to [e-mail] by April 24th. As our area continues to grow rapidly, staying informed and engaged in local government becomes increasingly important. The upcoming farmers markets in Crossroads, Krugerville, Pilot Point, and Aubrey also signal the vibrant community connections that make our area special.

Listen now to be inspired by true courage and learn how you can stay connected to the important developments shaping our community. Remember to thank a police officer or firefighter next time you see one – they deserve our gratitude more than they'll ever know.

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Episode Transcript

Steven Killfoil (01:07):
Good morning Crossroads.
I want to mention a couple ofhometown heroes Two amazing
police officers from Little Elmand their very selfless act of
rushing into a burning home andrescuing two very precious
little angels.
Far too often, our awesome menand women in blue and our men

(01:31):
and women firefighters slashEMTs go without recognition they
deserve.
The media seems set on twistingthe truth, telling lies and
focusing on things that, frankly, most of us really don't give a
damn about.
So this podcast will deal withour hometown heroes today

(01:52):
Officer Kakir Alej Chavez andOfficer Marcio Cordero.
I want to thank you both forhelping to keep our area safe
and protected.
May God bless you both and yourfamilies, and thank you for
your service.
Now I'm going to play a clip Irecorded at the meeting where

(02:17):
they were presented with theircommunity service Awards.

Recording (02:35):
and Council.
Thank you very much for givingus the opportunity to be here
tonight to honor our officersand everyone in attendance.
Thank you so much for beinghere.
I'm honored to stand before youwith the opportunity to
recognize some truly exceptionalindividuals within our
department.
Tonight we have some specialawards, well deserved.

(02:58):
To assist in the presentationof these awards, I'd like to ask
Chief Florentino, the Directorof Public Safety, to come
forward.
I'd also like Captain Barnesand Lieutenant Lescolette from
the Police Department and ChiefRust and his administrative team
from the Fire Department toplease come forward.
I know this is extremely unusualto see this large of a group
present a ward, but this reallydrives home the fact of public

(03:21):
safety and how united we are inso much that we do together.
We feel it's important for bothgroups to recognize these two
young men of public safety andhow united we are and so much
that we do together.
We feel it's important for bothgroups to recognize these two
young men.
Before we do the presentationof the awards, I'd like for you
to bear with me, I'd like foryou to watch a short video clip
that captures exactly why we'rehere.
Police Department, policeDepartment.

(03:43):
I got one Upstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.
Hey, they're supposed to be inupstairs.

(04:06):
I got one.
I got one Upstairs.
Hey, there's supposed to be anupstairs, I'm going upstairs.

(04:51):
At this time.
I would like to ask OfficerAdero and.
Officer Chavez to please comeforward.
Applause.
There's no doubt.
The video speaks for itself.
We could just stop right here,but there's much more important
information.
What you saw was a display ofcourage, instinct and pure

(05:14):
selflessness on their part.
Our officers ran directly intoa burning building without
hesitation because they believedchildren were inside and in
danger.
That kind of bravery is nottaught.
It's something that you carryfrom within.
Tonight, we honor your actionsand the heroism that you showed

(05:35):
on that particular day.
Lieutenant LaSalette, the lifesaving award.
On March 26, 2025, officersChavez and Cordero responded to
a residential structure fire inthe town of Wilhelms Public
Safety Service area.
Upon arriving at the scene,they immediately entered the
home despite limited to zerovisibility, and successfully

(05:59):
rescued two children.
Their courageous actionsdirectly resulted in saving both
children's lives.
Their swift actions reflect thehighest standards of service
and bring great credit tothemselves the Little Elm Police
Department, the town of LittleElm and the law enforcement
profession itself.
In recognition of these actions, those who are directly

(06:21):
responsible for saving humanlife Officer Chavez and Cordero
are hereby awarded thelife-saving mark.

(06:41):
We're not done.
Our third highest distinctionin the police department is the
Valor Award.
It is reserved for those whodemonstrate extraordinary
bravery in the face of imminentdanger going well beyond the
call of duty.
I'll now ask Captain Barnes toread that citation arms to read

(07:09):
that citation.
On March 26, 2025, officersChavez and Corguero responded to
a residential structure firewithin the town of Little Elm
public safety service area.
Upon arriving at the scene,they were advised that two
children were still inside thehome.
Although the exact location ofthe fire was unknown, the home
was filling with thick smoke,creating a rapidly deteriorating
and dangerous environment.

(07:29):
Without hesitation and fullyaware of the risk involved, both
officers entered the home andbegan a search.
Navigating through lowvisibility and hazardous
conditions, they located thechildren and brought them to
safety.
Their courageous actions,undertaken at great personal

(07:51):
risk, directly saved the livesof two children and reflect the
highest standards of valor andservice.
Their heroism brings greatcredit to themselves the Little
Long Police Department, the townof Little Mound and the law
enforcement profession.
In recognition of thisexceptional bravery and selfless

(08:13):
courage, these are also ribbonsthat they can wear on their
uniform.

(08:36):
You can see some of the ribbonsare already here, but these will
signify those events.
Congratulations to you, thanks,and our mayor Curtis.
Corneliusandez, would like to dosomething also.
So, because of all your, tourismthat you showed when you didn't
have to, but you did, we haveto.

(08:57):
There you go.
I love it.
I want to commend you guys and Iwant to thank you guys, and
here is a challenge for you frommy office, from my heart to
yours, because of what you did,we appreciate you so much.

(09:23):
One last thing we'd like for allof our law enforcement team and
all of our FD team to pleasecome forward and take a spot for
our group photograph real quick.
Thank you.

Steven Killfoil (09:49):
Yes, thank you again.
Gentlemen, we are very proud ofyou and very honored to have
you serving as police officersfor the Little Elm Police
Department and serving our areaat the Hillstone Point on the
Little Elm side our area at theHillstone Point on the Little
Elm side Well, crossroads wehave our interlocal agreement
with the Little Elm FireDepartment and our Crossroads

(10:15):
Police Department workshand-in-hand with the Little Elm
Police Department and our othertown policemen and policewomen.
My father is a retiredassistant chief of police from
my hometown and a United StatesMarine whom I am very proud of.
Growing up, I was always veryclose to the policemen and
firefighters in my hometown.
When you're in Walmart the nexttime and you run into a

(10:38):
policeman or a firefighter,slash EMT, reach out and shake
their hand or, heck, give them ahug and tell them how thankful
you are for their service.
Many of these hard-working menand women served in the military
as well.
God has a special battalion ofguardian angels who watch over

(11:00):
these brave men and women, andmany of them have families who
are equally proud of theirservice.
I was originally planning ondiscussing the outcome of the
meeting regarding ordinancenumber 1802 held at the Little
Elm City Hall last weekregarding the rezoning of the 10

(11:22):
acres of land currently zonedagriculture and the homes
proposed being built rightbeside our neighborhood,
hillstone Point, and the awfultraffic that will become by
having so many homes crammedinto such a small space.
But I'm going to table that fornow as I'm planning on having

(11:43):
on the podcast the Little ElmDistrict representative for our
Hillstone Point neighborhood onthe Little Elm side, just so you
know.
The Little Elm town councilordid vote unanimously in favor of
moving forward with the smallneighborhood on that 10-acre lot
.
I think it is about time thatmore of you out there start

(12:06):
getting yourselves educated andparticipate in these town
council meetings.
Far too much stuff is going onand then we're left with our
pants down around our anklesgoing what happened?
Well, an informed citizen is astrong citizen.
An uninformed citizen?

(12:28):
Well, they just can slap youaround like you're nothing.
So I propose that everybody outhere, uh, get off your butts,
stop watching amazon prime andstart getting into those city
council meetings, because I'lltell you what.
Our area is blowing up like anatomic bomb and if you don't get

(12:52):
yourself involved, it's goingto pass you up and you're going
to be left standing there withyour mouth open going, oh my God
, what happened?
So get involved, definitely so,hopefully.
On Monday, april 28th podcast, Iwill have an esteemed guest,
andrew Evans, on the show tohelp clear up some of the

(13:13):
confusion as to what exactlyhappened in regards to the
decision for that 10-acre lot.
In the meantime, what I wouldlike from you guys is for you to
reach out to me.
Reach out to me.
Crossroadspodcast podcast 2023at gmailcom.

(13:36):
Ask those questions.
I will propose them to mr evanswhen he comes on the show, but
I need to have those in beforethat date.
So I need to have those inbefore Thursday, april 24th,
when the actual interview willtake place.

(13:58):
So if you have questions or youwant to know what's going on on
that little um side of HillstonePoint, write me an email with
your questions.
I will an email with yourquestions.
I will propose those to MrEvans Now.
I will not promise you that hewill answer all of them, but I'm

(14:20):
very certain he will answer amajority of them.
I will have my own questionsfor him as I'm doing a little
bit of research before thismeeting takes place.
Bit of research before thismeeting takes place.
Andrew seems to be a very fineyoung gentleman who has great
concerns for our area as a whole.
He is responsible for thedistrict, and our neighborhood

(14:44):
falls under his purview.
He lives over in Union Park,he's an avid jogger, he's in
great shape, he's got a sharpmind and a big heart.
So those of you that want toknow what's going on, hey, email
me your questionsCrossroadsPodcast2023 at

(15:07):
gmailcom.
I look forward to seeing someof those this time and, like I
said, I will propose those to mrevans, and I can't guarantee
that he'll answer all of them,but I'm pretty certain he will
answer a large majority of them.
For what little time we have onthe show.
Usually I like to run it nolonger than 30 minutes.

(15:29):
So, keeping that in mind andwe've got a lot of little fun
things going on around our areaeaster's just around the corner-
the farmers markets are gettingready to launch and start
happening again, which we areall excited about.
I cannot wait to get over there.

(15:50):
We're done farming right herein crossroads to pick out some
excellent produce, as I know allof you are.
We also have farmer's marketsup in Krugerville.
We have farmer's markets up inPilot Point.
We have farmer's markets inAubrey.
Let me tell you somethingthere's enough farmer's markets
in our area.
You can get some amazingproduce.

(16:12):
If you are into microgreens,you go to krugerville.
There's some ladies there thatgrow some really fine micro
greens and I mean they are good.
I have bought from them andthey're excellent.
There's another woman that uh,I have to follow her on facebook
because I never know whereshe's going to be and she
cultivates mushrooms, andmushrooms, as most of you know,

(16:34):
are very healthy for you.
So, with that being said, as weget nearer to the farmer
markets opening up, I willannounce when and where and how
you can get there how you canget there.

(16:56):
So, without further ado, I'mgoing to close this podcast.
It's a short one.
This week, um, I wanted tohonor our heroes and as more
heroes pop up, which I'mconfident that will happen, I'm
going to keep a special touchwith uh, my buddy up there in
pilot Point at the Post Signal,miss Abigail, to find out if
they got some good hero storiesto go on, and I will share those

(17:19):
as well.
I would eventually like to getthose two police officers on the
podcast for a live interview.
I'm hoping that they'll agreeto that, so you all have a
wonderful day.
God bless you and we'll see younext week.

(17:39):
I'll see you at the top.
Bye Crossroads Podcast.
We'll be you next time, butthose who want to be in them

(18:56):
know who's your daddy.