PROGRESO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Border Patrol Agent Roberto Zavala saved 11 people from a burning home earlier this month and was honored Monday night by the City of Progreso for his bravery.
However, he does not call his actions heroic but rather simply God’s work.
“Timing. I think it was God’s timing that is my first reaction, as knowing my routine was completely off that day, so I am like, man, that is God’s timing as I am not supposed to be here,” Zavala said.
During Monday’s city council meeting, Progreso Mayor Hugo Gamboa presented Zavala with an award while he and the family told Valley Central what happened that night.
“At the time, we were all asleep and we didn’t know what was happening there,” said Maragrita Zendejas. “We just woke up with a bang on the door, and the Border Patrol was yelling get out, get out, and we just ran outside. We grabbed the kids and headed outside.”
On the morning of June 2, Zavala came across a burning home where Zendejas and 10 other family members were deep asleep.
“Well, it was pretty scary as I had to grab this guy going down the stairs, but after we got the kids out, it was a relief,” said Jose Saldaña. “Everything else is material, so we’re good.”
Zendejas quickly went to the trailer next to the house that was already engulfed in flames and helped her sister get her nephews to safety. She recalls only seeing bright orange.
No one except Zavala was outside trying to help.
“I saw the time 3:50 and as soon as I saw the time I looked through the window and saw orange, bright orange,” Zendejas said. “The trees were orange, the whole sky was orange, and all we could do was run and go outside.”
For Zavala, something felt off that night as he did not follow his normal routine.
“On that day, I was driving down and all of a sudden I felt really thirsty and didn’t decide to go to Whataburger but decided to buy myself a water at the gas station,” Zavala said. “Before I came across the gas station, I came across the fire, and I was there to help save the family. God put me there basically.”
In total, he helped save five adults and six children from the flames.
The City of Progreso created its first-ever Progreso Medal of Honor on Monday to help honor Zavala and all others who give their all for the community.
Gamboa and other local leaders hailed Zavala as a hero.
“It’s not easy risking your life for others, right? And it’s very important for us, for the people to understand that he is a hero,” Gamboa said.
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, also attended the event to help provide a flag and recognition for the Border Patrol agent.
“When somebody goes out of their way and it is not in their job description to put out fires or be on the lookout or smoke coming out of homes,” Gonzalez said. “He went out of his way to help his community and save 11 lives that would have been lost if he had not been there.”
Zavala does not believe he is a hero, just somebody doing God’s work.
“I am just glad that they are safe and alive and will be able to make memories from now on and moving forward,” Zavala said.
The cause of the fire is still unknown. However, the family is already rebuilding.
“We’re all getting together and trying to build the house again,” Zendejas said. “We are making everything we can to rebuild the house.”
These are not all the recognitions for Zavala, as Hidalgo County and Border Patrol officials also announced that Zavala will be honored in Edinburg and Washington, D.C., at a later date.
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