TIVERTON —Six-year old Tiverton resident Michael Finch, was recognized last Thursday with a "Lifesaver Award" by the Rhode Island State Police for having saved the life of his mother.

At the same time, Michael was also named an "Honorary Trooper" by Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and commissioner of public safety.

The occasion was the 25th Annual Memorial Ceremony at State Police Headquarters in North Scituate honoring state police and law enforcement officers nationwide. In 1962 President John F. Kennedy had designated May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week as Police Week.

Attending the ceremony were Michael's dad Christopher Finch and mother Rebecca Cottle, numerous state police, federal and state officials, and Governor Gina Raimondo.

Michael's heroics started on April 22, 2016 at 2:36 p.m. when state 911 dispatcher Robert Hillier took a call on the emergency line. (The call is featured on YouTube, "6-Year-Old Calls Rhode Island E-911.”

"Hello, this is 911," Mr. Hillier can be heard saying several times,with an audible response.

Finally a child's voice comes on the line. "Yeah, my mom is on the ground (unintelligible)." The mother's voice can be heard in the background.

Mr. Hillier then calls Tiverton 911 operator Brittany Pierce who keeps Michael on the line, asking the boy questions about his mom, how she looks, how she feels, and tells him a fire truck is on the way.

Michael asks the dispatcher something that sounds like, what number is on the truck, and says he's seen the truck before.

As officials later recounted what happened, Dispatcher Pierce asked Michael his name, and he said, “My name is Michael, and I am named after the Archangel.”

Michael also had the presence of mind to let the dispatcher know that he had a dog at his residence that barks at everyone, saving firefighters that concern when they approached his house.

"You need to put the dog in a room, " Fire Department Capt. Bruce Reimels told Michael when the rescue team arrived on the front porch of the house. Michael did as instructed, Capt. Reimels said.

Michael then opened the door to allow firefighters access, and pointed to his mom on the floor. “She’s right here,” he said.
The rescue vehicle arrived about 6-8 minutes from the start of the call.

Tiverton firefighters found Ms. Cottle semi-conscious on the floor experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Michael directed the firefighters to his mother’s medication, which was in the refrigerator, and retrieved it for them. This provided essential medical information for the proper care of his mother, officials said.

As his mom was being transported from the home to the rescue vehicle, Michael held the door open for the firefighters.

By this time, Capt. Reimels said, the boy's father had arrived to care for him.

One of the firefighters spoke with Michael and thanked him for how much he helped his mom and the Tiverton firefighters. Michael simply said, “I did what my mom taught me to do.”

Ms. Cottle was transported to the hospital and recovered fully from the incident.

"He was just unbelievable, unbelievable," said Capt. Reimels about Michael's role in helping rescuers care for his mom.