When a lit cigarette started a fire in the trailer home of James Rockwell's mother in Thornton Colorado, it was an officer who shares the same name as his department—Ryan Thornton—who rushed in to save the woman from the flames and smoke.

Rockwell says that his mother—who has multiple sclerosis and cannot walk—would probably have perished had it not been for the fast actions of Officer Thornton.

"He was there and willing to put his life on the line," Rockwell told Fox News in Denver. "He just knew that there was a fire and somebody needed to be pulled out and he just went in."

Officer Thornton pulled the woman from the burning trailer and collapsed. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and released.

"I want the police to know that there are people who care and will support them no matter what," Rockwell said.