Cop with extreme fear of heights saw a 5-year-old on the edge of a roof — his next move saved the kid's life

Despite his immense fear, the officer ensured he chose his call towards his duty.

PUBLISHED 2 DAYS AGO

(L) Scared little boy standing at height. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Q. Hưng Phạm), (R) Officer Eric Robbins speaks in interview. (Cover Image Source: YouTube| 6abc Philadelphia)

People who have an extreme fear or phobia of certain things usually tend to stay away from situations that could include those elements, not run into them. However, a brave officer named Eric Robbins decided to overcome his fear of heights by running to a roof to rescue a child who was in danger, per ABC 6 News. His very act of putting duty first and pushing aside his fear is hailing him a hero. Officer Robbins reportedly had a phobia of heights, also known as acrophobia, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Unaccompanied little boy playing up the stairs and going to height. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash| Photo by Cesar lalangui era)

The condition causes anxiety, fear and even severe symptoms like shaking or trembling and trouble breathing if in contact with the element of phobia. Clinical psychologist Martin Antony, PhD, of Toronto Metropolitan University, shared his insight about phobias, per the American Psychological Association. He noted that fear of heights is the “second most common” type of phobia among people. Any kind of phobia can be caused due to past experiences, modelling or information. He explained that for many phobias, exposure therapy is the best way to treat them.

Police officer in uniform on duty. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Kindel Media)

Unfortunately, this method is easier said than done and takes a lot of time, patience and energy to work out. And unbelievably, the officer worked through his phobia when he had to rescue the 5-year-old. The frantic parents of the child called 911 and explained that the kid was on the edge of the roof, very close to falling around 20 to 30 feet to the ground. When the officer received the call, he rushed to the house. "I looked up and I could see the kid just walking on the roof," he recalled. Wearing just a t-shirt and a diaper, the baby was in a life-threatening situation without even realizing it. With time racing, the officer had to act fast.

Police officer high-fiving kid. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Kindel Media)

He mentioned that the urgency of the situation and his instinctive call to his duty didn’t let him ponder his fear of heights. "I just knew I had to get him off that roof," Robbins said. He raced up the stairs and went to the second floor, found an open window and began to maneuver himself to get hold of the child. The footage captures the man making his way on the roof steadily. "I just locked onto the kid and started trying to map out how I can safely grab the kid without startling him and not fall off the roof. I don't think he knew I was there," he said. The boy was pulled to safety and the officer managed to come in with the kid.

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While it seemed like the officer was casually doing his duty, he was worried inside. "It felt like forever. It felt like a long time because I'm scared of heights," Robbins said. The parents were shocked and relieved at the same time. They wrote 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." Speaking of his life-altering rescue, the officer said, "Instantly overcoming my fear of heights and getting him off the roof... it hit home because it could have been my kid and I would want someone to do the same."