Little Elm honors Officers Chavez and Cordero with lifesaving and valor awards for March 26 rescue

The Town of Little Elm presented lifesaving and valor awards to Officers Chavez and Cordero for rescuing two children from a residential structure fire on March 26, 2025, town officials announced at a council meeting.

Town and public safety leaders described the officers’ actions as entering a smoke‑filled home with limited visibility and locating and removing two children who otherwise would have been in danger. A prepared citation read at the meeting states that the officers’ “swift actions directly resulted in saving both children's lives” and that their conduct “reflects the highest standards” of the Little Elm Police Department and public safety services.

The awards presented included the lifesaving bar and the department’s valor award for extraordinary bravery. Town and department leaders — including members of the police and fire administration — attended the presentation; the mayor also addressed the officers and presented a commemorative item from his office. A short video shown during the ceremony included body camera or incident footage and underscored the departments’ remarks about the rescue.

No formal council action was required for the ceremony. The council observed the recognition during the meeting’s presentation section, and the mayor invited the public safety personnel forward for a group photograph after the presentation.