TWO Police officers turned paramedics to save a life with seconds to spare. Brutally beaten and left for dead, Clare Carmichael was barely clinging to consciousness when Sergeant Dave Boote and PC Martin Broomfield reached her former home at Kinton, near Leintwardine.

Clare was reunited with the pair for the first time this week. All three were among the award winners at the Hereford Division 'Top of the Cops' ceremony.

The savage attack on Clare shocked the county in 2001. She was surprised on awards night with a Courageous Citizen salute to her well-documented survival and fight back from appalling injuries.

That she could do so is down to Sgt Boote and PC Broomfield. As first to the scene they stemmed blood flowing from Clare's multiple head injuries and administered emergency treatment that kept her alive until an ambulance arrived.

While Sgt Boote continued with the treatment until paramedics and doctor took over, PC Broomfield preserved the crime scene for forensic teams.

The work done in those vital first few minutes earned Sgt Boote and PC Broomfield Chief Constable's Commendations - and an emotional 'thank you' from Clare on the night.

l Detective Constables Peter Williams and Pauline Strong gave a teenage rape victim a second chance to see her attacker jailed. Police and prosecutors praised the girl's courage in going up against the man again over a separate offence, despite a jury at Hereford Crown Court clearing him of raping her. Though still deeply traumatised and receiving counselling, the 19-year-old travelled to Luton Crown Court earlier this year to give evidence against Francis Robinson accused of an attempted rape in Bedford. The facts of the cases were so similar that the Judge was persuaded into allowing details of the Hereford acquittal to be introduced as evidence. That ruling, something of a legal precedent, was crucial to the Crown's case and saw Robinson jailed for seven years. For 'professionalism, persistence and detective ability' in working with the victim DC Williams received a Chief Constable's Commendation and DC Strong a Divisional Commendation.

l Sex abuse cases demand the most delicate detective work of all, especially when that abuse occurs within a family over a long period of time. Such a case came the way of PC Sue Beament last year and the 'exceptional detective ability' she demonstrated over many months of investigation earned her a Divisional Commendation.

l Inspector Bob Wilson is one of Herefordshire's best-known officers. But he got a Divisional Commendation for his part-time role with the county's fourth emergency service Longtown Mountain Rescue- a commitment recognised as making considerable demands on his own life and providing valuable support to police colleagues.

l Inspector Tony Langford is a liaison link with the headquarters Professional Standards Department - the cops who investigate cops. The 'commitment and professionalism' that Insp. Langford has shown in such a sensitive role earned a Divisional Commendation.

l Detective Constable Keith Greenfield is one of the undercover intelligence team tackling drugs crime on the frontline. He got a Divisional Commendation for 'commitment, enthusiasm, professional knowledge and teamwork' throughout a number of successful operations over the past year.

l PCs Martin Carr, Pete Askwith, Tony Jones, Alistair Mulcaster, Dave Robinson and Helen Jennings all received Divisional Commendations for helping talk down 'jumpers' from life-threatening heights.

l PCs Emma Payne and Shirley Peters both got Divisional Commendations for 'high level performance'.

l PC Steve Thomas is both licensing and football intelligence officer. He was awarded a Divisional Commendation for 'continuous good work' in both roles.

l PC Roger Williams received a Divisional Commendation for 'commendable and consistent performance' as one of the Hereford city centre beat management team.