County Probation Officers Honored for Saving Man from Opioid Overdose Near Downtown Hall of Justice

Three San Diego County Probation employees were honored with a Hero Award for their quick, coordinated response that saved a man's life during an opioid overdose at a downtown intersection in July, county officials 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 spotted a man lying motionless in the intersection at India Street, according to the County Probation Department.

The team recognized the danger immediately. The man was unresponsive and breathing irregularly — clear signs of an opioid overdose, Probation Division Chief Maritza Rodriguez said.

Rojas called 911 while Allsberry assessed the man and cleared his airway, which was blocked by vomit. She placed him in the recovery position and attempted to wake him. When he remained unresponsive, she determined he needed Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication.

Roach took over communication with dispatchers, relaying key information including the timing of care administered. After Allsberry delivered the first dose of Naloxone, the man vomited again. She kept his airway clear, but he still did not respond.

The team then located a Metropolitan Transit System officer who carried a second Naloxone dose. Allsberry administered it five minutes after the first.

This time, the man's breathing deepened and stabilized. The officers maintained him in the recovery position until police and paramedics arrived.

First responders later discovered a large butcher knife in the man's pocket. Because the Probation team had already stabilized him and secured the scene, no one was injured.

The man regained consciousness a short time later with paramedic support.

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce presented the Hero Award to the three employees on Sept. 26 during its annual "Honoring Our Region's Heroes" event.

"The officers demonstrated exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to public service. Their actions brought great credit to themselves and to the Probation Department," said San Diego County Probation Chief Tamika Nelson.

Rodriguez said the team's coordinated, calm response likely prevented a fatal overdose.

"County Probation's top priority is keeping people safe, including those in their care, department staff and the community," the department said in a statement.