A Scioto County deputy is being credited with saving a man’s life after responding to a suspected overdose in Portsmouth—but the situation didn’t end when the man started breathing again.
Deputies were called to a home for a possible overdose and were first on scene.
According to the report, the deputy administered two doses of Narcan, but the man had no pulse and went into full cardiac arrest.
That’s when the deputy took it a step further.
A third dose was given, and CPR was started.
Moments later, the man began to come back.
By the time medics arrived, he was conscious—but also combative, forcing deputies to shift quickly from lifesaving measures to scene control. A deputy followed the ambulance to the hospital to ensure the situation remained under control.
It’s a side of overdose calls the public doesn’t always see.
When someone is revived with Narcan, they can wake up disoriented, agitated, and even aggressive—especially after being pulled suddenly out of an overdose state. For first responders, that means the job doesn’t end when the person starts breathing again.
In situations like this, deputies aren’t just acting as law enforcement—they’re first responders, medical support, and sometimes the only line keeping a chaotic scene from escalating.