The sight of flames whipping from the Longwood Landings Northeast Building just after 9:30 p.m. Aug. 15 didn’t stop Farmville Police Officer Jordan Seay, Officer Chris Hudson, Cpl. Christy Booth or Cpl. Harvey Hoyle from upholding one of their top duties as law enforcement officers: keeping those in town safe.

The four officers, who, along with two Longwood Police officers, ran into the burning building to evacuate 60 students after lightning struck the building during a fierce storm, were honored by Farmville Town Council on Wednesday with the Otto S. Overton Meritorious Service Award.

The event, marked by a standing ovation for the officers, is only the second time the award has been distributed, said Acting Police Chief A.Q. “Andy” Ellington.

“In light of all the negative publicity law enforcement’s receiving, here we have four officers who so graciously, without thinking twice, ran inside of a burning building, went up four flights of steps in order to save lives,” Ellington said before the presentation.

Ellington said once he arrived on scene that stormy Monday night, he got chill bumps when he learned that, if the officers had not rushed to the scene to get students out of the building, “we ultimately could have lost multiple lives on the fourth floor of this building.”

According to Farmville Mayor David Whitus, who described the scene before presenting the awards, the officers pulled many of the fire alarms while climbing the building’s stairs, only to find the alarm system had succumbed to the lightning strike.

According to Whitus, the officers then went door-to-door to notify the occupants and evacuate the building.

“Hudson and Seay were able to evacuate the second floor while Hoyle and Booth and Longwood Officer (Billy) Shular were on the third and fourth floors,” he said.

Whitus said some of the officers grabbed fire extinguishers and headed up toward the roof access after the students were safely evacuated.

“Prior to opening the roof access, officers heard the flames roaring overhead and realized that extinguishers were not sufficient to extinguish the blaze,” he said.

That’s when the numerous volunteer fire departments responded and officers helped manage the soon-to-be hurried scene down below.

“They are a clear example of heroes and first responders who run into a burning building … They run into danger,” Whitus said following the presentation. “For that, we’re very grateful. Thank you for your service and thank you for what you do on a daily basis.”

“I think the general public, for the most part, fails to realize how many different hats law enforcement officers wear,” Ellington said. “We’re always the first responders to tragedies or what have you, any incident … nine times out of 10, law enforcement officers are going to be there.”

Seay, Hudson, Hoyle and Booth “ran (up) four flights of steps to save lives,” said Ellington. “And I couldn’t be more proud.”

The award, named in honor of the late Otto S. Overton — Farmville’s chief of police for 42 years — is given to law enforcement officers in town who demonstrate exceptional service to the community to particular tasks or assignments, according to Ellington.

“I’m real proud of all four of them and their quick action and dedication. It could’ve been a lot worse than what it was,” said Town Manager Gerald Spates.