Saturday, July 17, 1999
Man's death linked to cocaine abuse
Victim ceased breathing while in police cruiser
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN — A 41-year-old man who stopped breathing while handcuffed in a police cruiser Thursday night died several hours later at a hospital from side effects of cocaine abuse, the Butler County coroner ruled Friday.
Roderick J. O'Harra died early Friday at Middletown Regional Hospital after suffering an apparent cocaine-induced heart attack, Dr. Richard P. Burkhardt said.
Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Mr. O'Harra had been standing in the street near his North Avenue home and yelling, a caller told police.
When police arrived, they found Mr. O'Harra lying on the street. A report describes his demeanor as “incoherent and very combative.”
After several unsuccessful attempts to reason with him, police handcuffed Mr. O'Harra and placed him in a police cruiser. An officer noticed he had blood on his head, then noticed he had stopped breathing, said Police Chief Bill Becker. The officer performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation; then Mr. O'Harra was taken to the hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition and died around 3:20 a.m. Friday.
Although two officers were placed on a paid administrative leave while they undergo routine stress debriefing and psychological evaluations, Chief Becker said he believes they followed proper procedures. Further, he said, Dr. Burkhardt's ruling confirms that Mr. O'Harra's death was apparently unrelated to his arrest. Both officers, Pat Albrecht and Chris Alfrey, are expected to return to regular duty soon, the chief said.
Officers had struggled with the suspect, but they did not strike him, Chief Becker said. Police said they aren't sure how the suspect's head was cut, but “some witnesses say he was beating his head on the ground,” the chief said.
Neighbors said they didn't know Mr. O'Harra very well because he had moved into the upstairs of a brown shingled house only about two months ago.
Richard Buchanan, who lives downstairs in the house where Mr. O'Harra lived, said Mr. O'Harra didn't have a car or a job and apparently lived on Social Security.
On Thursday, Mr. Buchanan said, he had spoken to his neighbor about an hour before the commotion broke out. He said Mr. O'Harra repaid a $5 loan and seemed to be acting normally.
Then the sirens started sounding.
Dorothy Sauers, who lives across the street, said she knew the situation had turned serious when she saw emergency crews moving quickly. “I figure the man was dead when they left here,” she said Friday.
Officers didn't know what had agitated Mr. O'Harra, said Maj. Mike Bruck. But in an unrelated call to police headquarters, a caseworker said Mr. O'Harra had been diagnosed with a mental illness and had been suffering from hallucinations.
Young people need to show a little respect
Armstrong hopes man will return to moon
Astronauts bask in glories past
FBI stalks 'Average Joe'
Mason growth shows no sign of slowing
Zoo gorilla expecting
Former reporter given probation
Former Russian general has new mission
Hospitals, surgeon offer to help boy
State tax cuts will be less for '99
Racist tag rejected in Anderson
Restrictions target illegal bingo
Balloonist shares his perspective at 300 feet
Drought keeps sprinklers in demand
Ex-officer's appeal says sentence racist
Fire kills disabled woman
Futuristic Sky Loop transit would complement light rail
Report: Ky. access to Internet among lowest
Residents aid river testing
GET TO IT
Pops concert unmasks 2 musical 'Phantoms'
Bids for new courthouse steps too high
Bush gains in Ohio GOP delegation
Child pornographer, 79, receives 10-year sentence
Court may pay for study of sewage plant
Edgewood clock could hail 2000
Gateways get spiffy thanks to $200 gifts
Glendale called to aid family
Grants make transportation easier
Man's death linked to cocaine abuse
More pools to be open in next heat emergency
Retirement center looking certain
School plan redone, awaits board's OK
TRISTATE DIGEST
Zoning goes to Supreme Court
