HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Gabriel Fisher acts like any other young boy. He chases ducks, plays baseball, basketball, and soccer. But at an early age he realized he wanted to leave the world a better place than he found it.
The thirteen-year-old from Henrico is constantly picking up trash, helping children targeted by bullies and assisting the homeless. His actions make for one proud momma.
“He just has a big heart,” says Gabe’s mother, Rachael. “I love him dearly he is my little angel. He always pays it forward whenever he can.”
Gabe and his single mother, Rachael, lean hard on each other through the good times and bad.
“I feel like I’m closer to my mom that a lot of kids are,” says Gabriel. “Because we go through so much with each other.”
The straight “A” student is not only touching lives he is helping save them too. On April 8, 2013 his mom, Rachael, falls violently ill. Rachael is incoherent, unable to move or communicate.
“I haven’t been feeling that well.”
“After a while she stopped talking and her eyes were closed,” says Gabe. “I’m not going to lie it was traumatizing. Traumatizing. I called 911.”
A frightened Gabriel jumps into action. Henrico Paramedics arrive within minutes.
“I remember feeling my son and I remember him holding his picture,” says Rachael.
Rachael is rushed to Richmond Memorial Hospital with Gabe close by.
“I just knew at that point that I had a hero right there,” says Rachael. “He never, ever left my side.”
Gabe wonders if he was going to lose his beloved mother.
“I didn’t know really what to do because I know my mom is the only thing I need in my life,” says Gabe.
Captain Daniel Rosenbaum tips his cap to Gabe for his quick thinking and not panicking under pressure.
“He remained calm in a very stressful situation,” says Captain Rosenbaum.
Rachael is stabilized and leaves the hospital a few days later.
“I’ve always looked at him as an angel in disguise,” says Rachael.
With the scary chapter behind them, the mother and son pair depends on each other and their faith to see them through the good times and bad.
“It brought us even closer than we already were which is hard to believe because if he could he would be attached to my hip,” says Rachael.
Whenever there is trouble on the horizon Gabe promises to watch out for others in need.
“I think we should look out for one another because someone’s life can be much harder than yours,” says Gabe. “What if you were in their shoes or their position wouldn’t you want someone helping you?”
The eighth grader is hoping to attend the Governor’s School at Maggie Walker High School in Richmond.
Following high school Gabe wants to attend Liberty or Yale University and ultimately become a doctor, an attorney, and therapist. He wanted to choose those professions because he can help people.
Gabriel says whenever he faces difficult obstacle he thinks of a phrase he coined in elementary school: Even though things are down, remember there is always going to be a good thing after -- no matter what.
Greg McQuade and CBS 6 News are featuring local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
