Lake County

‘I don’t think she’s breathing’: Video shows Tavares officer overdose after exposure to fentanyl

TAVARES, Fla. — The Tavares Police Department said one of its officers accidentally overdosed on the job.

The moment was captured on body camera video.

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“Breathe. Come on, breathe,” one officer is heard saying in the video. “Hit her again. I don’t think she’s breathing. Hit her again.”

Police said the officer found several narcotics during a traffic stop and she was exposed to fentanyl.

Read: Police chief recommends termination of Tavares officer

Another officer said he heard her choking on the police radio, and walked over to check on her. That’s when he found her in and out of consciousness.

First responders gave the officer three doses of Narcan, which reverses the effects of an overdose.

Read: Tavares police officer files grievance with city over double-demotion

The department said the officer is expected to be OK.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

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