On Wednesday three Lake County Sheriff’s Correctional Officers saved the life of a man suffering an opioid overdose in a courtroom, sheriff’s officials said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that at 10:30 a.m. Lake County Sheriff’s Court Security Officers observed a 24-year-old man slumped over, in the public viewing area of courtroom C-120.
“Although the man was not in custody or a jail inmate, Correctional Officers who transport inmates from the Lake County Jail to court were nearby and immediately intervened,” he said.
“They discovered the man was unconscious and barely breathing. They quickly determined he was likely suffering an opioid overdose.”
Covelli said that the Corrections Officers administered two doses of Naloxone to the man, which caused him to regain normal breathing and eventually regain consciousness.
The man was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. He admitted to consuming Xanax and heroin prior to the overdose, according to sheriff’s officials.
“I am very proud of Corrections Sergeant Timothy Specht, Corrections Officer Karrie Lee, and Corrections Officer Melissa Dunn for their quick actions which resulted in a life being saved, as well as our Court Security Officers who recognized the man was in distress,” Sheriff Mark Curran said in a statement.
“Someone overdosing in a courtroom highlights the opioid epidemic we face. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with community stakeholders, battling the prevalent opioid problem through education and enforcement.”