Lt. Debra Clayton

is posthumously commended with the Purple Heart Award and the Award of Valor — the highest honor that can be bestowed on an Orlando Police officer.

Orlando Master Police Officer Branden Thornton was patrolling early Jan. 9 when he heard the call come over his radio: One of his fellow officers had been shot in a Walmart parking lot.

He raced to the scene in time to find his boss, Lt. Debra Clayton, gravely injured. He was with her during the last few moments of her life.

“I spend a lot of time thinking about it,” Thornton said. “If I had gotten there 10 or 11 seconds sooner .... ”

For his efforts to save Clayton’s life, he was presented the Award of Merit during the Orlando Police Department’s quarterly awards ceremony Wednesday. Cpl. Robert Schellhorn and Officer Jeremy Sisk were recognized with the same award for their response to the scene.

Clayton was posthumously commended with the Purple Heart Award and the Award of Valor — the highest honor bestowed upon an Orlando Police officer. Her widower, Seth, accepted the decoration on her behalf.

She was shot while trying to arrest a murder suspect. Markeith Loyd was apprehended after a massive manhunt and faces murder charges in the deaths of Clayton and his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.

Although he’s haunted by what he saw that morning, Thornton said he’s touched by the outpouring of support from the community. Strangers often walk up to him and offer their condolences.

“It’s nice to see the community doesn’t forget Lt. Clayton,” he said.

Although it’s been nearly a year since Clayton’s death, the department is focused on keeping the memory of the beloved officer alive.

“It’s important for us to honor her memory,” Police Chief John Mina said.

Several civilians and officers were recognized during the ceremony. The manager and staff of a Wawa on Semoran Boulevard were thanked for their efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The team stayed in a hotel the night the hurricane struck, and they were able to open the Wawa early the next morning. They provided fuel and more than 300 meals to first responders.

Mina also recognized a litany of officers for life-saving efforts while responding to suicides, heart attacks, drownings and drug overdoses. Nine officers were presented the Life Saving Award, while 14 received an Award of Commendation.

The department’s highest award was also given to a group of officers who responded to a shooting in August. A standoff ensued after the suspect pointed a gun at officers. The suspect was arrested after the officers used non-lethal force. He was later found to have been under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs.