Scioto County deputies and first responders were kept busy with multiple calls involving apparent mental health crises over a 24-hour period—underscoring the growing role law enforcement plays in handling medical and behavioral emergencies.
🚑 Early Morning Emergency in Wheelersburg
Just after 12:30 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a home in Wheelersburg for a report of a 32-year-old man experiencing an altered mental state. According to the call, a computer monitor had been smashed inside the residence, raising concerns about the man’s condition and safety.
Medics responded to the scene and determined the man needed medical attention. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.
🚒 Afternoon Crisis in McDermott
Later that day, around 4:30 p.m., deputies were called to McDermott after a resident reported a woman believed to be under the influence walking down her driveway. The caller told dispatch the woman was later seen lying along the side of the driveway but was still moving.
A member of the Rush Fire Department arrived first and quickly determined the woman was experiencing a mental health crisis, requesting an ambulance to the scene.
Deputies spoke with the homeowner and conducted a walkthrough of the residence to ensure nothing had been taken. Officers also advised the resident on what steps to take if the woman returned.
Medics transported the woman to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Front Lines of a Growing Crisis
In both incidents, deputies and first responders focused on safety, de-escalation, and getting individuals the medical help they needed—highlighting how often law enforcement now finds itself on the front lines of mental health emergencies, especially during overnight and off-hour calls when other resources are limited.
