Police: Calif. LEOs recovering from serious fentanyl exposure

By PoliceOne Staff

HAYWARD, Calif. — Two California LEOs overdosed after being exposed to a lethal dose of fentanyl while conducting a drug investigation, police say.

On Friday, an Alameda County Sheriff’s sergeant and a detective were exposed to the opioid during a drug investigation in a motel room, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday. When the LEOs entered the room, “they were exposed to an invisible or microscopic dust cloud of suspected fentanyl residue” likely connected to the supply of drugs found in the room.

Immediately upon entering the room, the detective started to feel ill and was taken outside, where he fell unconscious and into respiratory distress. The sergeant administered Narcan on the ill officer, but his initial dose had no effect.

A second dose of Narcan helped the detective regain consciousness and breath normally. The department said the sergeant was contaminated with fentanyl residue from treating the detective.

The sergeant then displayed overdose symptoms and became seriously ill. While he didn’t lose consciousness, police said he was still in distress.

The department said since only one dose of Narcan remained on scene, police decided to save it in the event another officer or the sergeant became incapacitated.

The LEOs were transported to a hospital and are expected to be OK. The department credited its Narcan program for saving the lives of the LEOs.

“We are thankful we had the foresight to see a situation like this coming. There is no doubt our detective is still alive because of our program and a tragedy averted,” the department wrote.

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Posted by Alameda County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 26, 2018