Fort Dodge police officer unresponsive after potential fentanyl exposure

FORT DODGE – An Iowa police officer survived being exposed to what was likely fentanyl while on the job.

Body camera footage from a police officer responding to a scene involving the powerful opioid shows another officer unresponsive.

The incident happened on Sunday. The officer had conducted a traffic stop on the Kenyon Road Bridge. While on scene of the traffic contact, the officer handled an unknown substance before transporting the female to the Law Enforcement Center. 

While transporting the female, the officer began feeling dizzy and lightheaded. The officer himself radioed dispatch to have medics dispatched to the LEC to examine him. When officers and medics arrived at the LEC to assist, they discovered the officer to be lethargic and unresponsive in his patrol vehicle.  

The officer was transported emergent to Unity Point Hospital and given at least two doses of Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug, while being transported.  Additional Narcan doses were administered after arriving at the emergency room.  The officer quickly recovered from the Narcan treatment and was kept overnight for precautionary observations before being released.

At this time, it is suspected the unknown substance is a form of fentanyl, but until further testing is completed, the Fort Dodge Police Department says they cannot be certain.  Although many similar instances have occurred nationwide to first responders, this was the first incident police are aware of in Fort Dodge.  

The officer is doing well and recovering at home with his family.