During a routine traffic stop in December 2022, Officer Courtney Bannick of the Tavares Police Department in Florida experienced a near-fatal encounter with fentanyl. Despite wearing gloves, Bannick lost consciousness after handling the drug, which had been rolled up in a dollar bill by a driver she was questioning. The harrowing moment was captured on bodycam footage, showing Bannick collapsing in the middle of the road as her fellow officers rushed to save her life. The situation became critical as she stopped breathing, prompting one officer to administer Narcan to revive her.
Bannick later spoke out about the dangers of handling such potent substances, noting that although she had handled drugs numerous times before, “it only takes one time and a minimal amount” to have a severe reaction. Her experience has highlighted the ongoing risks law enforcement officers face when dealing with dangerous substances like fentanyl. Despite the severity of her condition, Bannick was fortunate to receive immediate assistance, which likely saved her life.
This incident has reignited the debate over the dangers of fentanyl exposure for police officers. While some experts, such as Dr. Ryan Marino, argue that overdoses from skin contact or inhalation are unlikely, Bannick’s experience and similar cases continue to raise concerns. Bannick’s fellow officer, Courtney Sullivan, emphasized how close they came to losing her, stating that if not for the quick actions of the other officers, “there’s a very high chance and probability that today would be different.”
The event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and life-threatening situations officers face in the line of duty. Despite expert opinions downplaying the risk of fentanyl exposure through skin contact, the fear and real-life experiences of officers like Bannick cannot be easily dismissed.
