FAYETTEVILLE — An 80-year-old woman who was a longtime Orrum resident on Thursday met the man she credits with saving her life.

Trooper James Kelvin Locklear received two awards for rescuing Lola Nye after finding her in February unconscious in her Orrum home. She had been severely beaten and left for dead.

The awards were made at the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Awards Ceremony at the National Guard Armory. Along with receiving the Crime Control & Public Safety Commendation Award and the state Highway Patrol Samaritan Award, Locklear, a 40-year-old Lumberton native, received one full day of paid leave.

Secretary Reuben F. Young of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and Col. Randy Glover of the state Highway Patrol presented the awards.

“It’s not very often you hear about the good,” Glover said. “We are not looking for recognition, but it’s great when we receive it.”

After the ceremony, Locklear, a six-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, greeted Nye with an embrace.

“He is great, this is the first time I’ve ever seen him. I think he saved my life,” said Nye, who has moved away from Orrum.

Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey, who supervised Locklear when he worked as a deputy sheriff and school resource officer for Robeson County, attended the ceremony.

“Kelvin is an outstanding officer. When he worked with us, he went over and beyond the call of duty,” Sealey said.

The attack on Nye shocked the small town of Orrum. Two teenagers are accused of beating her on the night of Feb. 15 when they allegedly knocked on her door, asked to use the telephone, and she refused. Montrexe Daytoria Blue, who was 16 years old at the time, and a boy who was 14 at the time, are charged with the crime.

Trooper Locklear’s involvement began when he responded to a call of a car being seen floating in a swamp. He found bloody clothes on the floorboard of the vehicle, and traced the vehicle to Nye. When he went to her home, he found her in a pool of blood in her hallway.

He began talking to her, which helped her regain consciousness. He conducted first aid to keep her alive until paramedics arrived to take over.

“I honestly just feel like I was doing what I was supposed to do,” Locklear said. “I’m just glad I found her when I did. I believe in divine intervention.”

Freddy Johnson, 1st sergeant for the Lumberton office of the Highway Patrol where Locklear is stationed, said troopers find abandoned cars frequently. He said Locklear was diligent in finding Nye after connecting the car to her. He said if Locklear had not done so, the situation would have turned out much differently.

“I’m definitely proud of him,” said Johnson, who nominated Locklear for the awards.

Nye’s two daughters were at the awards ceremony. They took the opportunity to thank Locklear.

“We are very thankful that he was the one that responded and followed through,” said Beth Johnson. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.”

Nye spent a month at Duke University Medical Center recovering from broken bones, head trauma, and severe cuts and bruises.

“The doctors and nurses were completely amazed at her recovery,” Johnson said.

Her daughters noted that Nye, a widow, has recovered from the physical injuries, but that the attack has affected her emotionally.

“I don’t know what those people were thinking to come in and do that to me,” Nye said.

Nye is now living with her other daughter, Ruth Ann Struble, in Charlotte.