Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Staff members at the Becker County Jail were recognized by Chief Deputy Shane Richard and members of the Becker County Board on Nov. 7 for saving the life of an inmate who appeared to be suffering from a drug overdose.
On Sept. 22, Becker County Sgt. Shawn Ohman, Correctional Officer Melissa McDougall and Correctional Officer Jessica Ross sprang into action when they noticed an inmate that was slumped over in a chair and turning gray and blue.
Becker County Chief Deputy Shane Richard told the commissioners how the three officers dealt the medical emergency.
“Correctional Officer McDougall alerted Sgt. Shawn Ohman of an unresponsive patient,” said Richard. “Arriving at the scene in the jail, Sgt. Ohman noted that the patient had been slumped over in a chair with their face turning gray and blue. Correctional Officer McDougal called 911 and retrieved Narcan as Correctional Officer Jessica Ross arrived on-scene also. Though the patient had a pulse, the patient was not breathing. Sgt. Ohman administered two doses of Narcan and sternum rubs that had no effect. Multiple doses of Narcan were given to the patient before the patient took a deep breath, but was still unconscious. Sgt. Ohman and Correctional Officer Ross moved the patient to the floor and administered breathing using a bag-valve mask. The patient eventually regained consciousness and EMS arrived shortly after that and the patient was transported to a local hospital for further care.”
The three correctional officers were awarded the Overdose Revival Award from Advanced Correctional Healthcare for their quick actions.
Barry Nelson, chair of the Becker County Board, said the awardees showed how great the Becker County Jail staff is at their jobs.
“Congratulations and a huge thank you to the staff out there,” said Nelson. “It’s a difficult job and when you hear success stories, or the attention to detail of their work, I think it’s asset to say what great employees we have out there.”
He said he also thinks the new jail’s layout and monitoring capabilities may have also played a role in saving the inmate.
“With our new jail, it is also probably easy to say, with our new jail and how it is more accessible, how you can manuver and find those issues so much easier now with all the technology and monitoring we have,” he said. “Thank you and thank those people and congratulate them on saving a life.”
Nelson thanked and congratulated the awardees on behalf of the Board and Becker County.
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