MARYSVILLE – Jeffrey Norris and Bronwyn Kieland found out what it would be like to be doctors instead of police officers.

And they received Life-saving Awards from the Marysville Police Department April 27 for their efforts.

They each saved a life last year by administering the drug noxolene to people who had basically died of drug overdoses. Officers were trained to use the drug in 2015. Cmdr. Jeff Goldman said already this year officers have saved about five lives.

“It’s out of the police realm,” Goldman said. “But six to eight people are here today because of it.”

Goldman called it a “miracle drug” for people who O.D. on opiates.

“There’s no sign of life, then they come back up, light a cigarette, and say, ‘What?’”

Also honored for their efforts in fighting drugs was the squad’s NITE team. Goldman said the team shows “exceptional tenacity” in fighting illegal narcotics. They are driven by neighborhood complaints involving squatters and boarding up houses. The team consists of Lt. Brad Akau, Sgt. Joby Johnson and officers Chris Farley, Brad Smith, James Tolbert and Michael Young.

At the MPD’s annual awards ceremony, Jonathan Elton was named Police Officer of the Year.

Elton is on the North County Property Crimes Unit. In presenting the award, Cmdr. Wendy Wade said he is a “go getter” that if given the room by supervisors can take off and bring the rest of the team with him. She said he is a major reason the unit has been so successful in recovering thousands of dollars in property.

Elton said he likes being on the team because he doesn’t have to answer every call, and can focus on important cases. He helped solve one recently when a woman was stealing from a number of local churches. In another case, because he works with other agencies, he was able to find out from Lake Stevens that they were after the same suspect, ultimately arresting him.

Officer Danielle Rusch also won a Life-saving award. A woman who had severely cut herself would have been in grave condition if she had not put a tourniquet on her. Medics later said the woman likely would have died.

For the second time, Sgt. Adam Vermeulen was named Supervisor of the Year. Goldman said Vermeulen is well-respected because he gets things done, even if he has to “roll up his sleeves and do it himself.” He supervises patrol and canine units, is forward thinking, and excels at developing others, Goldman said.

Also for the second time, program specialist Ilia Heath was named Support Staff Employee of the Year. She was involved in the implementation of the New World computer system, does whatever it takes and pays attention to detail, Cmdr. Robb Lamoureux said.

Jeffrey Burkholder was named Custody Officer of the Year for training jail staff on New World so it could be used there before anywhere else in the county.

Mayor Jon Nehring addressed the group and said citizens expect a lot from police. And police have to deal with so many things: violent crimes, the drug epidemic, nuisance crimes, mental illness …

“It’s quite a burden,” Nehring said. “There are stresses other jobs don’t have. But it’s a team effort. And we appreciate the way you defend our city.”

Police Chief Rick Smith said his employees give everything they can every day.

“They work their tails off,” Smith said. “They serve as hard as they can for the people who can’t help themselves.”