(Shoshoni, WY) – The Shoshoni Town Council recognized Officer Megan Lee with the Shoshoni Police Department’s Life Saving Award this week for her actions that helped save a man’s life during an apparent opioid overdose in June.
SPD Chief Chris Konija presented the award during a council meeting Tuesday, recounting the circumstances that led to the recognition.
The SPD had been called to respond to a report of an unconscious 57-year-old man experiencing respiratory distress at about 6:05 p.m. June 6 in the 500 block of East Second Street, Konija recalled.
Lee was the only officer on duty that day, Konija said, noting that an ambulance had also been dispatched to the scene from Riverton but wasn’t expected to arrive for about 30 minutes.
When Lee arrived at the scene, Konija said she “quickly evaluated the male subject utilizing the skills she had recently obtained during a 48-hour emergency medical responder class.”
“Officer Lee conducted an initial assessment and quickly recognized the signs of an opiate overdose, as the male subject was breathing three times per minute, had ashen colored skin, and was minutes away from suffering permanent injury or death,” Konija said. “Officer Lee quickly administered naloxone/Narcan and monitored the patient.”
Within a short period of time, Konija said the patient’s breathing improved, and the color returned to his skin.
“Officer Lee continued to monitor the patient until the arrival of the ambulance who took over medical care,” Konija said. “Officer Lee’s swift, decisive actions combined with life-saving intervention greatly reduced serious bodily injury from lack of oxygen, and it is highly probable the patient would not have survived if not for Officer Lee’s actions. Her quick and decisive life-saving actions are in keeping with the highest expectations of the town of Shoshoni, the Shoshoni Police Department, and the law enforcement community.”