By Antonio Planas -
NBC News
An 11-year-old boy this month saved a suffocating student at his school and later that day escorted an elderly woman from a burning house, according to Oklahoma authorities.
For most people, not to mention a child, Davyon Johnson's generosity on December 9 is equivalent to the heroic deeds of a lifetime.
But his mother, Latoya Johnson, 38, said Thursday that her son has always shown great maturity for his age.
And he added that this time he just showed his true self.
"He has always been there, ready to help whenever he could
," Johnson told NBC News, Telemundo's sister network.
"And he is still the same child. It is not that this has made him more or less," he said.
Davyon Johnson receives his recognition from the Muskogee Police Department.Muskogee Public Schools / Via Facebook
In a December 15 statement, Muskogee Public Schools detailed Davyon's incredible actions and noted that he was presented with various awards by community officials.
"The Muskogee Public Schools Board of Education recognized sixth grade student Davyon Johnson during the Board meeting Tuesday night," the statement said.
"
Davyon practiced the Heimlich maneuver
(to help someone who is suffocating) on a classmate on December 9 and that night he helped a woman whose house was on fire," the document detailed.
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The Muskogee County Police Department and Sheriff's Office presented
Johnson with a certificate certifying him as an "honorary member"
of their force.
Johnson claimed that her son was too modest to receive all the praise.
"He didn't really want recognition. But, like I told him, he did something extraordinary," he said.
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The police department gave Davyon an honorary certificate, the sheriff's office also considered him an honorary deputy, and the school board presented him with an award for heroism, Johnson said.
But they were not the only recognitions.
Muskogee Mayor Marlon J. Coleman
declared December 10 as Davyon Johnson Day
in this city of about 38,000 people, located about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.
It's something my father instilled in me "
Davyon Johnson 11 year old CHILD
Davyon will receive the keys to his hometown next week, Coleman said.
"He sends a clear message to the people of Muskogee that this represents the kind of people we are," the mayor insisted.
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"He was very brave, very selfless. He did everything naturally as part of his personality. It was not something he learned, it is just him as a person. It makes us proud to have that kind of young people in our community," he said.
Dayvon told her mother that she turned
on the Heimlich maneuver in a YouTube video.
The boy told the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper that you never know when it might be useful to learn about life-saving measures.
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"If you experience a situation like the one I was in, you will know what to do," he said.
The outlet also reported that Davyon has felt "good" with the attention he has received.
This Thursday, Davyon was in his wrestling practice and therefore could not comment.
A memorable day
His memorable day began at school, Johnson explained, when a boy ran into Davyon's classroom because he was suffocating.
"The boy was trying to open a bottle of water with his teeth and the cap got stuck in his throat. So he went to get help," Johnson said.
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The terrifying scene unfolded in front of the students, who clustered around the boy, Johnson said.
"My son pushed everyone out of the way and went to do the Heimlich maneuver," he added.
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Davyon's second act of heroism occurred just hours later, not far from his home, his mother claimed.
It was late in the afternoon, getting dark, and she was coming home with her son from wrestling practice.
They both smelled smoke
.
They didn't pay attention to it at first, Johnson said, but then they noticed a house was on fire.
He was very brave, very selfless.
He did everything naturally as part of his personality "
Marlon J. Coleman MAYOR OF MUSKOGEE
Johnson parked in front of the house, honked several times and called 911 because smoke was coming from the back of the house, he explained.
Davyon reached the front door and knocked frantically
.
Several people ran off, Johnson said, and she thought the ordeal was over.
"God is going to protect him, whatever he does"
But as Davyon made his way toward her, according to Johnson, an elderly lady came out the front door with the help of a walker.
The house was now visibly on fire and Davyon escorted the woman to safety, her mother said.
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He added that he
never feared for his son's life
, even if he had put himself in danger.
"I believe that God is going to protect him, whatever he does in life," he said.
She says she is very proud of him.
Your courage and desire to help will benefit you in your future endeavors, he insisted.
Davyon is considering
a career as an emergency medical technician or doctor
, Johnson added.
What Davyon did earlier this month has been an emotional boost before the holidays because
his father died of complications from
COVID-19
in August
, Johnson said.
Davyon, according to his mother, assured that his father's spirit was with him on December 9.
"That's something my father instilled in me," the boy told his mother.