Two Officers Transported to Hospital after Fentanyl Exposure

“This afternoon at approximately 2:40 p.m., Clovis Police Officers were dispatched to a suspicious person call behind the Trader Joe’s at Willow and Nees. When officers arrived, they contacted Patrick Martin, a transient, who was found to have active arrest warrants.

Upon searching his vehicle after the arrest, officers located a white substance in a plastic container believed to be a controlled substance. The container was packaged in a paper bag and secured in the trunk of the patrol car. A Community Service Officer also assisted in transporting Mr. Martin’s property from the vehicle.

As both officers were driving to Clovis PD headquarters, they each began to have shortness of breath and an elevated heart rate. Both notified dispatch and stopped their vehicles. Paramedics were immediately dispatched and arrived on scene to treat them both. They were transported to the hospital and checked by medical staff. Both are in good condition and have been released from the hospital.

The California Department of Justice High Impact Investigation Team, a drug task force, responded to test the substance. The substance tested positive for both fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mr. Martin was booked for multiple warrants and drug charges. He will be transported to Fresno County Jail.

Fentanyl is a dangerous drug! Even the slightest exposure can cause overdose and/or death. While it was not used today, all of our Officers have Narcan readily available in their patrol vehicles. Our department has experienced a growing number of fentanyl exposures and deaths in the community, and we will continue to educate the public on the dangers of the drug.”