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Four officers honored for life-saving efforts

Photo by Deb Gau Lyon County corrections officers Kaylyn Rockensock, Brock Schultz and Sgt. Robert Jesse were honored Tuesday for their life-saving response to a possible drug overdose at the Lyon County Jail last week. The three officers and Deputy Beau Swenson (not pictured) administered Narcan to an inmate who was found unresponsive during a cell check, said Sheriff Eric Wallen.

MARSHALL — When an inmate at the Lyon County Jail was found unresponsive during a cell check last week, corrections officers had to act quickly, Sheriff Eric Wallen said. Officers administered Narcan to the inmate for a possible drug overdose before emergency medical responders arrived.

“It’s quite possible he could have died, had they not responded the way they did,” Wallen said.

At Tuesday’s Lyon County Board meeting, Wallen recognized corrections and law enforcement officers for their actions. Correctional Sgt. Robert Jesse, and officers Kaylyn Rockensock and Brock Schultz were presented with plaques. Wallen said Deputy Beau Swenson, who wasn’t able to be at the meeting, also deserved recognition.

Wallen said the officers’ life-saving actions happened on Sept. 27. An inmate had been brought to the jail from probation after a failed drug test. Later, during a cell check, Schultz found the man unresponsive.

“They determined it was probably a drug overdose,” Wallen said. Responding officers called for emergency medical services and administered naloxone, also known as Narcan. Narcan is a medication used to help block the effects of opioids in case of a drug overdose.

The officers’ quick response likely saved a life, Wallen said. The inmate was able to get medical treatment.

People are regularly brought to the county jail who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are dealing with mental health issues, or both, Wallen said. But it’s not often that an inmate’s condition is serious enough to need Narcan, he said.

Law enforcement and corrections officers in Lyon County have had access to Narcan for drug overdoses for the past couple of years, Wallen said. However, he said so far there have been very few instances where officers needed to use it at the jail.

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