Victims rescued from a burning apartment complex this week thanked the Arlington Police Department.

Two police officers, the first on the scene of a raging fire, helped to save lives inside of a west Arlington apartment complex.

Officer Kristi Johnson and Officer Billy Cruz were in the area investigating an unrelated disturbance call when they saw smoke.

Facing danger, these officers rushed into apartment units to make sure everyone was getting out safely. The Arlington Fire Department was enroute.

Inside one of the apartment units, Marci Savill was sleeping with her two young children.

During a news conference this week at the Main Station, she remembered police banging on her door.

Officer Cruz rescued one child as Marci retrieved her second child. Because of the thick smoke, Officer Cruz remembered losing sight of Marci. They collided with one another before escaping through an open door.

"I am very grateful for what you did," she told Officers Johnson and Cruz. "We were the only ones sleeping. My children wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for you."

Monica Reynolds, another rescued fire victim, told officers, "you are a godsend."

Officer Johnson said she was humbled by the recognition.

Officer Cruz joined APD in 2012. Officer Johnson arrived a year later in June 2013. Both said they did exactly what any officer would have done.