September 29, 2022
Press Release
A traffic stop turned potentially deadly early Sunday morning as two Beckham County Deputies were arresting two suspects on a county road near Elk City. The deputies had discovered the pair to be in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine and a small number of M30 pills, which are known to normally contain fentanyl. There was also a baggie of white powder confiscated during the stop. The powder later field-tested positive for fentanyl.
As the deputies were transporting the pair to the Beckham County Detention Center, Deputy Trey Hale, began to feel ill and eventually had to pull over because he felt he was becoming incapacitated.
“Deputy Hale said that he began to feel hot and flushed as he was nearing the interstate, then he noticed his face and lips becoming numb,” said Sheriff Derek Manning. “By the time he drove onto the interstate, he began to feel dizzy, disoriented and nauseated.”
Manning said Deputy Hale pulled off at Exit 26 as he called his partner for help.
“His partner, Deputy Aaron Allen, our K9 deputy, immediately returned to Hale’s location and found him outside his patrol unit, vomiting and on the verge of passing out,” Manning said. “Deputy Allen had already requested an ambulance while he was en route back to his partner. An Elk City Police unit and a Sayre Police unit also responded. While waiting for the ambulance, Deputy Allen administered Narcan nose spray to Deputy Hale, who was becoming increasingly ill and less and less able to care for himself.”
Narcan is a brand name for naloxone HCL, which the Sheriff’s Office carries in all of their units and in the jail. It is specifically designed to immediately counteract the effects of an opioid such as fentanyl in the case of a drug overdose, either by accidental exposure or intentional ingestion. “We have kept Narcan in our units since we were able to receive the training and have the nose-spray dosages provided a few years ago,” Sheriff Manning said. “But after this incident, we are going to require our deputies to keep it on their person to make it even more accessible if we have another emergency like this.”
Deputy Hale was taken by Sinor ambulance to Great Plains Regional Medical Center for further treatment and observation. He is reported to have since made a full recovery. “They determined that he was going to be okay, and they released him a couple of hours later,” Manning said. “He says that he remembers very little of the incident after Deputy Allen got to him. We’re all just thankful that he had a partner close enough to respond that quickly and help.”
Manning described the incident as “terrifying” for his two deputies, but said that he is extremely proud of their response to the incident and the response of the communications deputy working that night. “Deputy Hale helped save his own life by remaining calm and doing what he needed to do, which was recognize the symptoms, call for help and get safely stopped. Deputy Allen saved his partner’s life by doing all the things he needed to do, including getting quickly to his partner and administering the required medical aid,” Manning said. “Our communications deputy who was dispatching the incident followed her training and protocol to the letter, which is not easy to do when one of your own is in trouble. Good communications in an incident like this is always key to a successful outcome.”
The sheriff said that his office, and agencies around the state are continuing to see more and more fentanyl, both on local traffic stops and on interdiction stops, and the danger of the drug is very real. “An exposure can happen so easily, and the person who is exposed, as in Deputy Hale’s instance, may not even know exactly how it occurred,” he said, “But within just a few moments it can shut down your breathing and heart rate and incapacitate you. Without the right kind of help it can easily result in death. It scares me for our first responders, our communities and our schools. It’s not like any drug I’ve ever dealt with in my career.”
Manning said incidents like this always remind him of the quality of people he serves with. “I’m very proud of everyone’s response – and very relieved that our deputy is okay. I appreciate our partner agencies for their help, including the ambulance crew and the officers who took care of our patrol unit and prisoners. These folks doing these jobs have more and more threats coming at them all the time. In this case, the job got done, and everyone went home to their families. That’s the goal. Always.”
Arrested on drug charges in the incident were Steven Jacob Phillips, age 23, of Elk City and Raven Sage Thunderbull, age 24, of Elk City.
Got a news tip? Send it in: Email news@kecofm.com
Copyright 2022 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Robbery Suspect Allegedly Used BB Gun – Charged
April 24, 2024 A Clinton man with a history of burglary charges has been charged in Custer County District Court after being accused of robbing a Clinton convenience store with a BB gun that looked like a
Accident Disrupts Power in Elk City
April 23, 2024 Power was disrupted Monday afternoon for about 6 hours for PSO customers on the north side of Elk City after power line poles with multiple transformers were pulled down by a city trash truck.
Pedestrian Death on I-40 Under Investigation
April 22, 2024 Authorities are investigating a fatal accident on Interstate 40 that involved a semi and the death of a pedestrian.
Fatal Accident Near Mangum
April 22, 2024 A single vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in Greer County has left one person dead and another in critical condition.
BKSO App Helps Locate Missing Juvenile
April 22, 2024 The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office App is getting credit for helping locate a missing juvenile from Elk City last week.
Relay for Life Fundraiser to be Hosted at SWOSU on April 26
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is hosting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the world’s largest fundraising event dedicated to helping communities in their fight against cancer, on Friday, April 26 from 6 p.m. to 11
Rep. Archer Talks House’s Proposed Budget
April 19, 2024 The Oklahoma House of Representatives rolled out their initial budget numbers earlier this week, which is a $12.6 billion appropriation to state agencies, programs and infrastructure.
High Speed Pursuit Ends in Beckham Co.
April 19, 2024 Multiple agencies from Oklahoma and Texas were led on a high speed pursuit Thursday that saw a Houston man arrested.
“All Clear” Given After Apparent Fake Bomb Threat at Elk City Middle School
April 17, 2024 Tense moments Wednesday afternoon after a bomb threat to the Elk City Middle School was made.
Elk City Man Injured in Dewey Co. Crash
April 17, 2024 An Elk City man was hospitalized Tuesday night after being involved in a one vehicle accident in Dewey County.
K9 Alerts Authorities to Fentanyl and Cocaine During Texas Traffic Stop
April 17, 2024 A man was arrested earlier this month in Shamrock, Texas after being discovered with fentanyl and cocaine.
SWOSU’s Dr. Tugba Sevin Named 2024 DaVinci Fellow for Language Initiative
April 17, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce that Dr. Tugba Sevin, Associate Professor in the SWOSU College of Arts and Sciences has recently been named the 2024 DaVinci Fellow
SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Awarded Heritage Preservation Grant
April 17, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce that the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has awarded the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
Ellis Co. Man Dies in Monday Night Crash
April 16, 2024 A Gage man passed away Monday night after being involved in a two vehicle accident near Laverne in Harper County.
Man Accused of Vandalizing Home – Hitting Woman
April 16, 2024 A Sayre man was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly vandalized a home and punched a woman.
Adopt a Dispatcher
April 16, 2024 Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning reminds the public that there’s an easy way to show your appreciation to Beckham County dispatchers with this week being National Telecommunications and Communicators Week.
Storied Structure Helps Occupants Create Better Future
April 15, 2024 By Landry Brewer An old Elk City building has a new purpose.
Local Authorities Staying Sharp During Severe Weather Season
April 15, 2024 With spring storm season in full effect in western Oklahoma, one local sheriff’s office is staying sharp when they’re needed to accurately spot, track, and report when severe weather enters the area.
SWOSU Launches Pharm.D./MSHIM Dual-Degree Program
April 15, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to introduce the Pharm.D./Master of Science in Health Information Management (MSHIM) dual-degree program, which combines the Doctor of Pharmacy and master’s degree in health
February Sales Tax: I-40 Trio Up
April 15, 2024 The latest sales tax numbers have been released and western Oklahoma’s largest communities saw gains in collections when compared to the same time a year ago.
ECPS Partnering with Leadership Group
April 12, 2024 Elk City Public Schools has been selected to take part in a leadership program that, according to Superintendent Mike Sparks, will create more opportunities for the school district to build on success and continue
Excavation at New Fire Station Site Unearths Church Building Remnants
April 12, 2024 By Landry Brewer Dirt is being moved at the historic location for Elk City’s new fire station, and workers recently uncovered some of that site’s history.
Omar J. & Katie Rogers Scholarship Fund Established at SWOSU
April 12, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon has announced the establishment of the Omar J. & Katie Rogers Scholarship Fund.
Clinton Man Accused of Trying to Run Down Golfers
April 11, 2024 A bizarre story out of Custer County where a man was arrested after allegedly attempting to run over people while driving a vehicle near Riverside Golf Course in Clinton.
“Boots and Badges” Blood Drive Friday in Elk City
April 11, 2024 A special blood drive honoring a fallen firefighter is taking place tomorrow at the Elk City Fire Department.