Crawford County paramedics, Pittsburg policeman treated for fentanyl exposure

(From the Pittsburg Police Department)

On Friday afternoon April 24, 2026, at approximately 2:51 PM, first responders with the Pittsburg Police Department, Pittsburg Fire Department and Crawford County EMS were dispatched a residence located in the 1100 block of W 4th Street, in Pittsburg in reference to a subject suffering from a suspected drug overdose. 

The patient, who was identified as a 32-year-old male, was found to be unconscious and was not breathing. The patient was transported to Pittsburg Mercy Hospital for treatment. Individuals on scene were interviewed by investigators, and the residence was secured while law enforcement officers applied for a warrant to search the residence for illegal narcotics. Once at the hospital, the patient recovered from the suspected overdose and left the hospital against medical advice. 

At approximately 4:33 PM, two Crawford County EMS paramedics who were at the scene and treated the patient, began showing signs of an accidental overdose due to a suspected fentanyl exposure. The two EMS paramedics were transported to Pittsburg Mercy Hospital for treatment. One of the paramedics was later transferred to Joplin Mercy Hospital for further treatment.

At approximately 5:13 PM, a Pittsburg Police Department patrol officer began to feel ill and was taken to Pittsburg Mercy Hospital to be evaluated. The patrol officer has since been released from the hospital. 

Due to the ongoing threat of exposure to illegal narcotics in the residence, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Clandestine Laboratory Response Team (CLRT) was requested to assist in the execution of the warrant. 

While officers were waiting on the KBI’s response team to arrive, a subject at the residence on W. 4th Street began to interfere with officers on scene. As a result, 50-year-old Justin West was placed under arrest for felony interference with law enforcement. 

Mr. West was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking and is currently being held without bond. 

Mr. West is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will be taking over the investigation and further information will be released by their agency. 

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone who has information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). The KBI can be contacted at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar. Callers may remain anonymous.