UPDATE: 10:00 PM 9/23
Cottonwood, Ala.— Cottonwood Police Chief Tony Money was exposed to fentanyl while responding to a scene involving a 28-year-old female. After contact, Chief Money fell unconscious, and a “officer down” call was issued over dispatch. Cottonwood EMS quickly administered Narcan to assist him.
Two more responders, Cottonwood Public Safety Director Jim Smith and EMS Captain Beau Deathridge, also experienced symptoms and were taken to the hospital. Deathridge has since been released, but Smith remains under observation.
Dothan Fire Hazmat is tasked with securing and decontaminating the scene, including the ambulance used for transport. No updates have been provided on Chief Money or the female involved.
ORIGINAL STORY
COTTONWOOD, Ala. (WDNews) – Cottonwood Rescue and Cottonwood Police were dispatched to a medical emergency on Hanging Moss Trail, located off Will Varnum Road and State Line Road. The call involved a 28-year-old woman who was reportedly going in and out of consciousness.
During the response, a law enforcement officer came into contact with fentanyl. A call came into dispatch reporting an officer down. Emergency medical personnel on the scene administered multiple doses of Narcan to the officer. The officer was then transported to a Dothan hospital, with multiple agencies escorting the emergency vehicle. Unconfirmed reports indicate he became conscious.
Authorities confirmed that no one was shot at the scene and reiterated that the call was strictly a medical emergency.
Continued rescue support is still actively going to Cottonwood.
Hazmat has been called in to the scene as of 6:00 PM.
This is a breaking story, and more updates will be provided as the active investigation continues.
