Forsyth Deputy Honored For Saving Overdose Victim

CUMMING, GA -- A Forsyth County deputy is being honored for saving the life of a woman who had overdosed on heroin.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Sheriff Duane K. Piper said Dep. William Miller was the first Forsyth officer to use Naloxone, a drug that counteracts the effects of heroin and other narcotics, since it was acquired recently by the sheriff's office.

According to the post, Miller and his partner responded recently to a local hotel for a welfare check requested by family members on a woman staying there.

Deputies entered the hotel room with the help of the hotel manager and found the woman unresponsive and apparently not breathing. They began administering first aid and found a very faint pulse with occasional gasps for air.

Miller, who had undergone training in the use of Naloxone, recognized the signs of a heroin overdose and administered the drug to the woman.

She began breathing more steadily and showing signs of responding to the drug, according to the post. Medical personnel arrived on the scene and she was transported to a local hospital, where she continues to receive treatment.

In addition to singling out Miller, Piper used the Facebook post to highlight Georgia's medical amnesty law, which allows people to call 911 if they are with someone who may be overdosing without fear of being arrested.

The Forsyth County sheriff's office purchased Naloxone using drug seizure money.

(Photo courtesy Forsyth County Sheriff's office)