During a recent traffic stop, an officer from the Southport Police Department had an encounter with fentanyl that resulted in an overdose. Thankfully, the officer is currently recovering from the incident.
Last Friday at approximately 7 p.m., Lieutenant Tony Wilson of SPD conducted a traffic stop at the Speedway gas station located on the south side of Indianapolis, at the intersection of US 31 and County Line Road. The driver of the vehicle had been reported to have a criminal record and was found to be driving without a license.
SPD reported that during the car search, Wilson discovered a dollar bill coated with what he believed to be fentanyl.
According to the Lieutenant, he unintentionally breathed in the white powder, which caused him to lose consciousness quickly. His superiors attributed his successful outcome to his rigorous training.
According to SPD, Lt. Wilson displayed remarkable composure and immediately requested medical aid prior to losing consciousness.
Thanks to Wilson’s quick thinking and the prompt response of the Indianapolis Fire Department crews, the life of the lieutenant was saved, according to the Southport police.
According to SPD Chief Thomas Vaughn, the officer was struggling to stay alive. He had inhaled something and was urgently trying to administer Narcan to himself. The situation was chaotic and there were many factors to consider.
On Friday, SPD announced that Wilson is in the process of recuperating and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Department is currently examining its procedures to determine whether officers will require any additional equipment or devices in responding to narcotics-related calls in the future.
On Monday, SPD confirmed that Lt. Wilson was one of the officers who responded to the 2022 mass shooting incident at the Greenwood Park Mall. According to reports, Wilson played a crucial role in evacuating the mall by assisting customers who were hiding in place.
According to Wilson’s superiors, his previous encounters with similar situations helped him make prompt decisions on Friday.
According to Chief Vaughn, the officer constantly evaluates different strategies and approaches to improve his performance. “He looks at different things to do and works through those scenarios every day to be better,” Chief Vaughn noted. The chief added that if the officer wasn’t as skilled as he is, the department could have been holding another police funeral.
