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David Macias is a good kid.

Macias, a fifth grader, was riding his bicycle Aug. 6 in his Chatfield Corners neighborhood in Gypsum when he noticed one of his neighbors slumped in the doorway of his home. Macias rushed home and told his father to call 911.

Eagle County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home and found the man, motionless in his doorway.

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Deputy Heath Mosness was one of the first officers on the scene. He said the person was disoriented, so an ambulance was called.

Mosness noticed Macias, still on his bike, watching the scene and asking if his neighbor was all right.

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Mosness recognized the family name, went to Macias’ house, and thanked David for his actions.

The Gypsum Town ߣÏÈÉú recognized those actions Tuesday when Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek presented Macias with an Outstanding Citizen certificate and a challenge coin.

“He’s a hero — a phenomenal hero,” van Beek said, adding that the young man’s actions show that “anyone can make a difference in an emergency.”

While briefly describing Macias’ actions in August, van Beek told the council and those gathered for the meeting “how extremely proud we are” of young David.

Macias’s family was in attendance, of course. All of them were beaming, as you’d expect.

Mosness said he’s been a deputy for the past 30 years, and too often sees people look the other way when they see someone in distress.

“To have this young man do what he did” is special, Mosness said.

Mosness added that he’d hoped to have some sort of recognition for Macias sooner, and perhaps at his school, but is happy it’s come.

And, he added, “If David hadn’t called (911), I think we’d have had a different investigation than we did.”