CAMDEN, S.C. — Two Camden Police Department officers were honored with the department’s Life-Saving Award after an overdose response in which officers administered Narcan before emergency medical personnel arrived.
The City of Camden and Camden Police Department said Sgt. I. Rodgers and Cpl. F. Acerra were recognized during the June 2, 2026 Camden City Council meeting. The recognition followed a May 13 call involving an unconscious man behind a business on DeKalb Street.
According to the city’s account, Sgt. Rodgers quickly evaluated the man and saw signs consistent with a drug overdose. Cpl. Acerra retrieved Narcan from his patrol vehicle, and officers administered the medication while awaiting EMS.
The city said the man was experiencing severe respiratory distress and was not breathing normally. He was later transported to MUSC for additional treatment and stabilization.
Chief credits training, judgment and compassion
Camden Police Chief Jack Rushing said the officers’ actions showed the broader public-safety role local police often fill on medical emergencies.
“Law enforcement officers respond to a wide range of emergencies every day, including medical calls where seconds matter,” Rushing said in the city’s release. “Sgt. Rodgers and Cpl. Acerra demonstrated exceptional professionalism, sound judgment and compassion under pressure. Their actions made the difference between life and death, and we are proud to recognize them with the Life-Saving Award.”
The department presents the Life-Saving Award to officers whose actions directly help preserve human life through extraordinary service, courage and dedication to duty, according to the city.
Rushing added that the response is a reminder that police work extends beyond crime prevention and enforcement. “These officers exemplify our commitment to serving and protecting our community in every circumstance,” he said.
Why ThinBlueNews is highlighting it
Overdose calls, medical distress calls and other urgent aid responses rarely become national headlines, but they are part of everyday public-safety work. This Camden case is a source-backed example of officers using training and issued emergency medication in a short window where seconds mattered.
Source reviewed: City of Camden / Camden Police Department announcement on the Life-Saving Awards.
Featured image note: ThinBlueNews used the real City of Camden / Camden Police Department award-recognition photo with a headline overlay and visible source credit. No AI-generated rescue scene or fake incident image was used.