In August 2014, Lawrence Police Officer Nathan Haig responded to a report of an unresponsive woman.

Arriving on scene, Haig performed CPR on the unconscious woman until paramedics arrived and took over. She regained consciousness several hours later.

Lawrence and Douglas County first responders were recognized for actions taken in the line of duty, Friday night at the annual Valor Awards Ceremony.

Friday night, Haig and dozens of other area first responders were recognized for their exemplary and often life-saving actions taken in the line of duty during the 2015 Valor Awards at Crown Toyota, 3430 Iowa St.

“I didn’t save her life, I just kept her heart beating,” Haig humbly insisted. “It’s just a part of what I signed up for.”

The annual Valor Awards are meant to honor Lawrence and Douglas County’s 17 first responder agencies and “to show our appreciation for the selfless men and women who serve our community,” said Valor Chairperson Michelle Derusseau.

Haig said he appreciated the recognition, but he typically prefers to stay off the radar. All the same, he was proud to stand next to so many other first responders whose quick thinking and fast actions positively impact the community on a daily basis, he said.

“I’m not used to this, I don’t like the limelight,” he laughed.

Throughout the evening, hundreds of area first responders ate, drank and heard stories of medical calls, armed suspects and suicidal subjects. But however sombre a situation began, each man and woman who approached the stage Friday night contributed to a positive resolution.

Keynote speaker and dean of Kansas University’s School of Business Neeli Bendapudi spoke of the resilience of first responders, conveying her deep gratitude.

At one point, Bendapudi asked every first responder to take out their phones and shared her personal number, urging them to call if there was anything she could do for them.

“I don’t know what we can say beyond a simple message,” she said. “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for what you do.”