CLAYTON — The Town Council chambers erupted in applause on Feb. 15 for two Clayton police officers.

Carlos Lerma and Chad Mallett received the department’s Lifesaving Ribbon for helping to revive a man after an apparent drug overdose.

On the evening of Jan. 22, Mallet and Lerma were dispatched to a home on North Smith Street, acting Police Chief Greg Tart told the Town Council. “When Officers Mallett and Lerma arrived at the residence, they encountered a female attempting chest compressions on an unresponsive male lying in the yard beside a vehicle,” he said.

Lerma took over the chest compressions while Mallett went to his patrol car for naxolone, a nasal spray that can help reverse an opioid overdose. He administered one dose, the chief said. The Clayton Fire Department and Johnston County EMS soon arrived and took over the lifesaving efforts, Tart said.

“I believe the actions of these two young men helped save this man’s life,” the police chief said.

The fire department thought so too, Tart said. “Later that night, I received a message from the fire department acknowledging the efforts of these two young men,” he said. “It was described to me as a team effort by all three agencies. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

The Lifesaving Ribbon acknowledged Lerma and Mallett “for diligence in the performance of their duties above normal expectations” and for “displaying a sense of loyalty and dedication to the agency in keeping with the highest standards of professionalism.”

Tart said the two officers represent what’s good about law enforcement in Clayton. “Many times you hear about the negatives, but I can assure you our positives greatly outweigh any negatives we may have,” he said.