Philadelphia police officer sets aside fear of heights to rescue child from a roof

well this next story is reaching new heights and that's because Philadelphia police officer Eric Robbins phobia of heights took a backseat to duty when neighbors called 911 to report a 5-year-old boy walking on a roof robins went above and beyond literally to save the little one from falling some 20 to 30 feet 1020 watch out watch out a race against time a child on a roof philadelphia police officer Eric Robbins is one of the first to arrive to the 1000 block of North 64th Street and I looked up and I could see the kid just walking on the roof so what's running through your mind as you're looking at this he does not seem phase at the fact that he's on the roof i just knew I had to get him off that roof never before seen body cam videos show the urgent effort to get inside the home he's on the roof open the door is this on the roof it's on the roof officer Robbins sprints up the steps before making his way to the second floor and heads immediately for the open window i just locked on to the kid and started trying to map out how I can safely grab the kid without startling him and him possibly falling over the edge of the roof did he see you i don't even think he knew I was there a child in a pamper and a t-shirt pulled from the edge of the roof his parents in complete shock and a mother heard processing how this could have been so much worse it felt like forever also because I'm scared of heights [Music] why did you feel like that was so important not to let that stop you and also kind of compartmentalize your own fears and make the rescue i had the ability to to do something i took it upon myself to do it the family didn't want to talk on camera but tells Action News they are grateful for all of the officers especially Officer Robbins they even penned this letter to the department saying "As a parent I cannot express how much it means to know there are officers dedicated to protecting and serving with such compassion." You mentioned that you're also a father yes did that kind of hit home for you as well once everything was all said and done it was just a rush of emotion instantly overcome my fear of heights and getting that kid from the roof it hit home at the at the end because it could have been my kid and I would want someone to do the same and thinking of his own child during that rescue Robin says his fatherly instincts kicked in right away but talk about being able to compartmentalize your own fears to make that dramatic rescue that was caught on body cam footage if you know any first responder who has gone above and beyond while on duty be sure to let us know so head to our website 6abc.com/heroes action News we'll be right back [Music]