Oklahoma City police officer stars on and off screen

At 18 he joined the military as a National Guard active reserve member, and shortly after that he began his career as a police officer, patrolling southwest Oklahoma City.

“That's why we get into this job, we want to help people,” Paz said. “If I can make a difference and maybe save someone's life, then that's awesome. It's all in another day's work for us.”

Tuesday, Paz was patrolling near the 3000 block of SW 54 when a medical call came over his radio about a woman having a seizure.

He was close, so he went to the house. From outside the front door, he heard the woman's cries.

Paz gave the white, wooden door two hard kicks, and the door gave way. He found Misty Combs, 31, sitting in a chair with her 9-month-old son precariously teetering in her lap.

Paz scooped up the boy and checked on Combs. Paramedics came in behind him and treated the mother, while Paz entertained Dylan until Combs' husband made it home.

“When you hear someone on the other side of the door, you just don't know what can happen next,” he said. “You just have to be ready for whatever it could be.”

It wasn't the first time Paz was ready when needed in an emergency. Last year, he was honored for saving a woman by performing CPR and dislodging the bit of food she was choking on.

Paz said officers go through lifesaving situations every day, and he feels blessed every time he's able to help someone.

“I'm no different from most police officers,” he said. “All I've ever wanted to do is help people. When you get a chance to do that, it's the best feeling in the world.”