A routine traffic stop in Tavares, Florida, almost ended in tragedy for officer Courtney Bannick. During a vehicle search, the officer found narcotics inside a one dollar bill. Despite wearing gloves, Officer Bannick was exposed to trace amounts of fentanyl, which unleashed an almost instant overdose that left her unable to breathe and on the brink of death in the middle of the street.
Bodycam images show something heartbreaking: Officer Bannick laid completely unconscious. Thanks to the quick response of her fellow officers, she was given three doses of Narcan to revert the effects of the drug until he ambulance arrived. Her colleagues expressed that Bannick was completely “out of it” and that, had it not been for the emergency team, she would have lost her life in a matter of minutes.
After being rushed to the hospital, the officer was able to recover and has decided to share her story to raise awareness over the extreme danger officers face when handing fentanyl, where even the most microscopic particle can be lethal. Authorities have also confirmed that the searched car’s owner is now facing severe charges for possession and trafficking of illegal substances, while the video of the incident has gone viral as a warning to all police departments.
You can watch the incident right here: