Probation Employees Honored For Saving Man During San Diego Overdose

SAN DIEGO, CA — Three San Diego County Probation employees recently received a Hero Award from the San Diego Business Chamber for saving a man who was overdosing on opioids downtown, the department said.

Deputy Probation Officers Amanda Allsberry and Lino Rojas and Probation Aide Stephanie Roach were walking on West C Street near the Hall of Justice on July 6 when they saw a man lying motionless in the intersection at India Street, according to Probation Division Chief Maritza Rodriguez.

Rojas called 911 while Allsberry cleared the man’s airway and placed him in the recovery position. When he did not respond, Allsberry administered naloxone. Roach coordinated with dispatch and tracked timing. After a second dose of naloxone, the man’s breathing stabilized. Police and paramedics arrived soon after.

First responders later found a large butcher knife in the man’s pocket. The team had already stabilized him and secured the scene, preventing injuries, officials said.

The chamber presented the awards Sept. 26 at its “Honoring Our Region’s Heroes” event. “The officers demonstrated exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to public service,” Probation Chief Tamika Nelson said.