During a recent traffic stop, an officer from the Southport Police Department had an encounter with fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose. Thankfully, the officer is currently recovering.
Last Friday at approximately 7 p.m., Lieutenant Tony Wilson of the SPD conducted a traffic stop on an individual at the Speedway gas station located at US 31 and County Line Road in the south side of Indianapolis. The driver in question was reported to have a criminal background and was driving without a license.
During the car search, SPD reported that Wilson came across a one dollar bill that appeared to be coated in fentanyl.
According to the Lieutenant, he inadvertently breathed in the white powder and quickly lost consciousness due to its effects. His superiors attribute his successful outcome to his rigorous training.
According to SPD, Lt. Wilson showcased remarkable composure and quick thinking as he called for medical aid before losing consciousness.
According to Southport police, Lieutenant Wilson’s life was saved due to his quick thinking and the prompt response from the Indianapolis Fire Department crews.
According to SPD Chief Thomas Vaughn, the officer was in a life-threatening situation and had to fight for his survival. He had inhaled something, and as a result, was trying to seek help and administer Narcan. The situation was complex, and there were several challenges that needed to be addressed.
According to SPD, Wilson is on the road to recovery and is anticipated to make a complete recovery.
The Department is currently evaluating its procedures to determine if its officers require any additional equipment or devices to better handle narcotics-related calls in the future.
On Monday, SPD confirmed that Lt. Wilson responded to the tragic mass shooting incident that occurred at the Greenwood Park Mall in 2022. According to reports, Lt. Wilson played a crucial role in assisting customers who were hiding to safely evacuate the mall.
According to Wilson’s superiors, his ability to make quick decisions during situations like the recent one is a result of his past experiences.
According to Chief Vaughn, the officer constantly evaluates various approaches and actively strives to improve himself. The chief emphasized that if the officer wasn’t exceptional at his job, then the police department would be holding another funeral for one of their own.