PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A local mother full of gratitude reaches out to the police officer who, she says, saved her son's life.
 
Serenity Ortiz knows whenever an emergency responder is called a "hero" they always say they were just doing their job. But Ortiz wanted to make sure one Philadelphia Police Sergeant got the recognition, she believes, he deserves.
 
Ortiz told Eyewitness News, she never imagined she'd ever find herself calling police, a life saver. That is until, last Thursday.
 
"I was just waiting for them to tell me my son was gone. Without the officer, my son wouldn't be here," Ortiz said.
 
Ortiz says her 21-month-old son, Xavier, is alive today thanks, in great part, to one Philadelphia policeman. She says, last Thursday afternoon, Xavier who was born deaf, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a brain abnormality suddenly stopped breathing. In a panic, Ortiz ran over to her neighbor for help.
 

Neighbor, Helene McGowan, said, "We dialed 911 and they told me to put my finger in his mouth. So when I tried to do it, he wasn't having it."
 
Ortiz says that's when the officer ran in and jumped into action.
 
"I remember him sticking a finger down his throat," Ortiz recalled.
 
Xavier began breathing and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors told Ortiz they don't know the cause but Xavier suffered a seizure. Convinced, the officer's quick action saved her son's life, Ortiz reached out to Eyewitness News to give credit where it's due.
 
"You saved my son's life. I can't even explain how I feel. My family appreciates what he did for us because he actually saved a life," Ortiz added.
 
Ortiz was also hoping Eyewitness News could help her track down her "hero". Tuesday morning, authorities identified him as Sgt. Francis Barclay with the 2nd police district.
 
When reached for comment, authorities told Eyewitness News, Sgt. Barclay politely declined to be interviewed for this story but will revisit the Ortiz family on his private time, relieved to hear little Xavier has recovered well.
 
Ortiz said, "We just hope he will understand how much of a hero is to us."

Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3