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Officer Overdoses on Evidence Drugs, Survives Narcan
16 May
Summary
- A police officer overdosed on narcotics from the evidence room.
- Narcan and CPR were administered to save the officer's life.
- Safety procedures are being reviewed after the incident.
An Aliquippa police officer experienced a near-fatal overdose after coming into contact with fentanyl from the department's evidence room. The officer, responsible for destroying old narcotics, collapsed in a patrol car approximately 20 minutes after handling the substances. Investigators believe the officer, despite wearing gloves, was exposed to a small but potent amount of fentanyl.
His partner immediately administered Narcan twice, and paramedics provided CPR, saving the officer's life. He regained consciousness hours later in the hospital with no memory of the event. The Beaver County District Attorney's office stated that no crime appears to have been committed, and no charges have been filed.
In response to this incident, the Aliquippa Police Department is thoroughly reviewing its safety procedures. Immediate changes include requiring officers to wear masks when handling narcotics. The district attorney emphasized that this event serves as a critical reminder for all law enforcement agencies to re-evaluate and strengthen their policies and safeguards when dealing with hazardous materials.
