Turlock Police Chief Nino Amirfar and TPD command staff recently recognized the heroic efforts of 12-year-old Blake Rose, whose quick actions helped save his mother’s life.

Jessica Rose said that she had just come inside their Turlock home from watering the lawn on the evening of June 20 and started talking to her son Blake, who was playing video games.

“I thought I was talking normally, but apparently I was slurring my words,” she said.

Blake noticed something was wrong, but even though his mom kept saying she was “okay” he knew she wasn’t. The 12-year-old ran across the street to get his dad, who called 9-1-1.

“My face had drooped and I had no feeling on my left side by the time the ambulance showed up,” said Jessica.

Because of Blake’s fast response, Jessica was able to receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a drug treatment for acute ischemic stroke that can only be given in the first few hours of the time stroke symptoms first start.

“Even the doctors told him…it was Blake who jumped into action, didn’t freak out or ignore the signs that made a difference,” said Jessica.

Jessica is now almost completely recovered from her attack.

When Chief Amirfar heard about Blake’s ability to remain calm in a crisis and take action to help his mother, he decided to honor the Turlock youth.

Blake and his family visited the Turlock Police Department on Tuesday, where the 12-year-old was surprised with a visit from the Chief. Amirfar presented Blake with a certificate and a TPD challenge coin.

It was a very emotional moment for Blake — and Chief Amirfar, who praised the youth’s heroism.