Assistant
Police Chief Richard
Harper read the citation,
which describes the situation
encountered by Officer
Wharton and the life saving actions he took. A
South Alexander woman’s life was saved thanks to Officer
Wharton’s military medical experience and the use of NARCAN.
According
to the citation Officer Wharton responded to a call on June
27, 2018. When he received
the call he
was only told there was a medical emergency
at the South Alexander residence and,
“[T]he
victim was not breathing.” The
citation states when he arrived,
“[H]e
found an unconscious woman lying on the
floor, her lips, and extremities were blue and purple indicating a
lack of oxygen rich blood circulation.”
Since
medical personnel had not arrived Officer
Wharton checked her pulse,
which was faint, and began
CPR (Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation) with the
use of a CPR bag. While
administering CPR the citation says Officer Wharton, “[N]oticed
white powdery substances and syringes around her body.”
The
citation notes the apparent loose drugs present on the floor were a
hazard to Officer Wharton as
well. “These items are
indicators of illicit often deadly substances such as fentanyl and
heroin. Fentanyl has seriously injured and killed many First
Responders as well as overdose victims.”
Besides
the officer and victim the only other person mentioned in the
citation is, “[O]ne
incoherent family member.” Officer
Wharton, “[C]ould
not get a clear answer as to what substances the woman might have
ingested.”
After
several rounds of CPR the woman did begin to breathe on her own. The
citation then describes Officer Wharton’s next set of procedures
which ultimately saved the woman’s life.
“Officer
Wharton then ran to his patrol unit and retrieved his issued NARCAN
dose. Upon returning to the victim he noted her respirations [sic]
had again diminished hindering the administration of NARCAN. Officer
Wharton
used his CPR bag /valve to force the lifesaving drug into the woman’s
airway and continued to provide respirations [sic].
A short time later the woman began to breath on her own again and
regain normal skin color.”
In
summarizing his actions the citation states, “Officer
Wharton’s immediate implementation of emergency training and
presence of mind under extreme conditions unhindered by the serious
threat to his own personal safety undoubtably
[sic]
saved the woman’s life.”
According to the
NARCAN website, “NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray is the first
and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency
treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. NARCAN® Nasal
Spray counteracts the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose.
Since most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, it was
developed for first responders, as well as family, friends, and
caregivers—with no medical training required.”
Before
turning over the
presentation to Assistant
Chief Harper, Chief
of Police
Robert Burnett
said Officer Wharton has
been with the department about two years. Chief
Burnett added Officer
Wharton’s past
experience includes serving
as a military medic.
Chief
Burnett noted this is Officer Wharton’s second life saving
citation, “And he may be up for a third.”
After
a rousing round of applause Mayor Paul Mitchell thanked Officer
Wharton for his service to the city. He
also noted that NARCAN is a recent addition to the police
department’s arsenal.
“If
it can save one life it’s worth it,” Mitchell said.
It
was noted this is the second time a dose of NARCAN was used to
save someone’s life.
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| Assistant Police Chief Richard Harper (right) presents Life Saving Medal to Officer Matthew A. Wharton. |
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| Life Saving Citation Bar. |
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| Life Saving Medal |
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