Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Starke Police Chief Jeff Johnson presented Sgt. Jarred Altman a lifesaving award for his saving a drug overdose patient.
On Sept. 19, police responded to a call from the Red Carpet Inn regarding an intoxicated person. The suspect had fled the motel but was found in the vicinity of Lake and Adkins streets, arrested for disorderly intoxication and taken to the Bradford County Jail.
While waiting for the Sally port to open, Altman wrote in his report that the suspect became combative and told officers he had swallowed fentanyl and needed NARCAN, an opioid overdose treatment.
The suspect became unresponsive and was foaming at the mouth and displaying seizure-like activity. EMS was notified. With the assistance of officer George Duren, they removed the suspect from the vehicle and laid him on the ground. They attempted to communicate with the suspect, who was repeatedly unresponsive and slipped into agonal breathing. He was close to death.
Altman administered the NARCAN, and Johnson said all reports agreed this saved the suspect’s life.
Johnson presented the award in front of the city commission and Altman’s family.
