BONHAM, TX – A 12-year-old boy is being hailed a hero for remaining calm during an emergency and helping to save his mother's life. The Texoma Council of Governments presented the young man with a local 911 heroes medal Monday evening. Shelby Levins reports.

The 911 call was made a little less than a month ago, turning a 7th grader into a modern day hero. He kept a cool head, answering all the dispatcher's questions and helping first responders to arrive quickly.

A standing ovation honored Thomas Standlee as he was awarded a local 911 hero's medal of honor. But the young boy says he was just doing what he needed to in an emergency

"I just did what I had to. I thought my mom might have died. I thought she was dying,” Standlee said.

On June 14th, Thomas dialed 911 when he realized his mother was having excruciating chest pains and physically could not get help herself.

"I was just terrified. But I was able to keep my voice clear even though I was crying,” Standlee said.

"Otherwise I might have died if I hadn't gotten any help. That's the reality of it,” Anna Rutledge, Standlee’s mother said.

Rutledge is full of pride because of her son's cool-headed actions, but admits the emergency was a scary situation for everyone involved.

"Here’s this kid with Asperger’s and he never missed a beat. He handled it just like a young adult,” Rutledge said.

After receiving his hero's medal in front of entire Bonham city council, Thomas got to meet the 911 communication officer that took the call.

"He answered all our questions very well. He followed all our instructions. He did extremely well especially for his age,” Cindy Woods, a communication officer with the Bonham Police Dept. said.

Because Thomas placed the call from a cell phone he had to give the dispatcher his exact address. He also had to answer several questions about his mother's condition.

The Texoma Council of Governments, the organization presenting the award, is hoping others will learn from Thomas's example.

"We try to take advantage of any and every opportunity we find in the community where we can recognize and allow that child to serve as an example to others,” Peggy Shelley, the TCOG 911 Program Manager said.

TCOG says it doesn't have a quota, or any maximum number of 911 hero medals of honor they can give out. TCOG says its goal is just recognizing heroes and encouraging people of all ages to do the right thing in times of emergency.