Sheriff’s Office officials search a squad car Thursday afternoon after a deputy experienced breathing problems that could have been caused by exposure to an unknown substance.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Will Channell)
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A Union County deputy got a health scare Thursday, and authorities believe it might have been result of exposure to an unidentified substance during a traffic stop.
According to Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton, Deputy Kristin Cowell searched a vehicle on Route 4 just north of the Route 37 junction at about 1 p.m. after receiving a report that it had illegal drugs in it.
Cowell found a container with a clear liquid in it, no illicit materials and released the two occupants of the car.
At about 2 p.m., Patton said Cowell began experiencing breathing problems and contacted dispatchers, asking for a medic. She stopped in the Sheriff’s Office parking lot, where she was given a dose of Narcan and taken to Memorial Hospital.
She has since been released after being monitored for several hours.
Patton said medical follow-ups with Cowell will be done.
“She appears to be okay at this point,” Patton said.
Patton said it’s hard to say what caused the medical episode, though they’re continuing to investigate the vehicle from the traffic stop.
“That was her only immediate exposure prior to her feeling symptoms,” Patton said.
The vehicle was found in Delaware and searched again, though no samples were taken from it. The occupants of the car said the clear substance was cough syrup.
“I imagine there are going to be additional follow-ups,” Patton said.
At this point, nobody has been charged, and authorities have found nothing to warrant further legal action.
According to Patton, it’s difficult to say what could have been in the vehicle. Patton cited cleaning supplies or mold as possible causes.
“It could have been anything,” Patton said.
According to Patton, blood tests taken during Cowell’s hospital stay could shed more light on what caused her episode.
The incident will also result in some changes to traffic stop policy. Patton said before, deputies were only required to put on gloves during vehicle searches. Masks were encouraged, but not required.
Patton said now, his office will likely make deputies use masks during searches.
“There’s too much risk in the current environment,” Patton said.