FROM CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
Photo above is Jack T. Robinson of Jemison.
A Millbrook officer required medical attention and Narcan after a traffic stop Friday. Two people were arrested. The officer was treated and has recovered.
On Friday, June 28, 2024, Millbrook police observed suspicious behavior at a local convenience store. Upon checking vehicle registration, officers discovered that the owner of the vehicle was wanted on an outstanding warrant from Brent, Alabama. Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Highway 14. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers detected the odor of Marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Based on their observations, officers detained both occupants and conducted a search of the vehicle, which produced several containers containing a substance, which appeared to be Methamphetamine, plant material believed to be Marijuana, numerous plastic bags, as well as other items commonly used to package or facilitate the use of illegal narcotics.
During the search of the vehicle, a Millbrook police officer came in to contact with a powdered substance, believed to be illegal narcotics, after which he began to have an adverse reaction, to include dizziness and shortness of breath. Officers on scene acted quickly, administering Narcan to the affected officer and summoning Millbrook paramedics to the scene. The officer was transported to a local medical facility for treatment and evaluation and was later released.
Both the driver and passenger of the vehicle, later identified as Jack T. Robinson, a 47-Year-old Jemison resident and Tiffany A. Lawley, a 31-year-old Clanton resident, were placed under arrest, both being charged with the following:
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Chemical Endangerment of a First Responder
Both individuals were processed and transported to the Elmore County Jail, where both remain. Robinson remains under a $44,000.00 bond and Lawley remains under a $29,000.00 bond.
We’re both thankful and pleased to announce that our police officer, who possibly ingested the residue from the narcotics recovered from the alleged offender’s vehicle, is at home resting and doing fine. I appreciate the quick and decisive actions of his fellow officers, who relied on their training, quickly administering Narcan and summoning paramedics for assistance. This may have very well saved the officers life. This just highlights the ever increasing and inherent dangers our officers face during the course of their duties each day and night. With all the dangerous drugs and the chemicals added to them, to include Fentanyl, it never ceases to amaze me the lengths that people will go to and what they will introduce into their bodies to get high. They appear to have no concept or concern of what these chemicals and narcotics may do to them, their children or. in this case, a law enforcement officer that’s simply doing their job. Ingesting or coming into contact with just a small amount of this material may cause an individual to become severely ill or even cause death.
Incidents where law enforcement officers and other first responders have become exposed to these dangerous chemicals/narcotics, suffering illness and even death, have been on the rise. Fentanyl has become more prevalent across the country, as an additive to existing narcotics. Because of this disturbing and unfortunate trend, many states, including Alabama, have passed legislation to address this issue.
To those who engage in the practice of the use, production, sales or transportation of illegal narcotics, know if you endanger the lives of others, to include law enforcement, by your careless actions, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law. Fortunately, our officer is going to be fine, but this situation could have ended much differently and that’s not acceptable. We are extremely grateful for the quick and decisive actions taken by our officers, as well as the Millbrook Fire Department and the medical staff who took care of our officer after his exposure.
