A Greenfield police officer saved the lives of two people overdosed on heroin Thursday.
According to Capt. Ray Radakovich, the officer wasn't responding to a 911 call. He was out on patrol during a rain storm when he saw a work truck parked at an apartment complex near 71st and Forest Home with its flashing. He thought the truck was there to help with flooding, but it turned out to be far from the case.
"Fortunately for the two men inside the truck the officer had a weird feeling that I better go check," Radakovich said.
Instincts led the officer to the truck where he found two young men slouched over inside.
"The officer was able to get entry, the door was open," Radakovich said.
Radakovich said the officer immediately realized both had overdosed.
"Extremely, extremely comatose," said Radakovich.
Just one shot of NARCAN each wasn't enough to revive the men.
"These men were so deeply affected by the heroin that it took actually four shots,” said Radakovich.
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It's a growing problem Greenfield Police have become all too familiar with. Every officer on their force now carries NARCAN 24-7 at $75 per dose. The nasal sprays have been used a dozen times over the past year.
"To the amount that we've used them, I don't think anyone could've guessed that," said Radakovich.
According to the State Crime Lab Bureau, heroin cases have climbed each year in Wisconsin since 2008.
"Unfortunately even in a nice community like this we see it on a daily basis," he said.
Back at the parking lot where the two men were saved, Radakovich says the mean have one officer to thank for going the extra mile.
"If they wouldn't have been found, they very well may have died from the heroin overdose," said Radakovich.
The men admitted to snorting heroin earlier that night. Both face charges of heroin possession once they are released from the hospital.
