Phoenix 5th grader recognized for saving friend's life

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - As the fifth grade filed into the Stetson Hills Elementary library, they all sat down not knowing about the surprise Phoenix fire had in store.

"Who's Gavin Hunt?" Capt. Reda Bigler asked.

Gavin was dressed to impress, thanks to his parents, who were in on it too.

"We just had to come up with a quick story, so I said that my boss, who's a classy guy, was taking us out to dinner and he knew that he had to step up his game a little bit," Aaron Hunt said.

And he did! Gavin was spruced up and ready for a moment of official recognition.

"I am here on behalf of the Phoenix Fire Department and all the firefighters out there," Capt. Bigler said. "We're going to present you with the Citizen Lifesaving Award for performing the Heimlich Maneuver on one of your classmates."

Last May during lunch, one of Gavin's friends started choking on a chicken nugget, and instead of sitting and waiting for an adult to help, Gavin jumped into action.

"I just squeezed him by the stomach and the chicken nugget just flew across the room," he said.

The Heimlich Maneuver was something he had casually heard about years before in his science class, but that moment stuck with him and ended up saving his friend's life.

"I was like the school celebrity for a couple of days... it felt pretty good," Gavin said.

That feeling was back again today as Phoenix fire presented him with the Citizen Lifesaving Award. It was a special moment that his mother hopes will inspire others, no matter their age.

"Hopefully, this will help with people within this school to be able to do this similar action, whether it's at school, home or even just out in the public," Racheal Hunt said.

Gavin is an inspiration and hero who's quick thinking won't be forgotten.

"I'm definitely going to hang it on my wall where everyone can see it," Gavin said. "This is a moment I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."