She's a hero

PACE — It’s official: Peyton Jones is a hero. She received an award that says so, along with a helicopter ride, for making a 9-1-1 call that saved her brother’s life.

Holton Jones, 5, has ROHHAD, which stands for rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation, according to his mother, Genia Jones.

“When he falls asleep, his body doesn’t tell him to breathe,” Genia Jones said. “It affects one in 73 million.”

Genia was asleep with Holton on the sofa in their Pace home when Peyton, an 11-year-old in the sixth grade at Sims Middle School, noticed Holton stopped breathing.

“She woke me up and I told her to call 9-1-1 and told (her 10-year-old sister) Kate to go next door. I feel we worked as a team,” Genia said.

When Peyton called, she gave the operator her name, address and phone number. She then explained the situation.

The Santa Rosa County Emergency Management honored Peyton on Thursday with a 911 Hero Award for her composure throughout the situation. The award recognizes children 16 years old and younger who handle a 9-1-1 call, according to Santa Rosa County Emergency Management's 9-1-1 Coordinator Kevin Sowell.

“We’re looking for (children who are) calm, knowing the address and phone number, and effectively handling the situation,” Sowell said.

Peyton also received a Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office pin from Sheriff Bob Johnson. Keith Bell, with Lifeguard Ambulance Service, named Peyton an honorary member of the flight crew and she received a ride on the Lifeguard 1 helicopter with Genia.

So, what’s next?

Sowell plans to submit Peyton’s story for the state and national 911 Hero Award.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: She's a hero