POUGHKEEPSIE – Two Dutchess County District Attorney’s Crime Scene Analysts are being credited with saving a woman’s life last week in the stairwell of a Poughkeepsie parking deck. On October 21st, Heather Palazzo and Kristina Crespo came upon a woman in medical distress from an overdose in a stairwell in the Financial Plaza Parking Deck in Civic Center Plaza and sprang into action.
Upon encountering the woman, Palazzo began assessing the woman’s vital signs and administering life-saving aid, while Crespo called 911 and then the DA’s Investigators. Members of the Investigations Unit responded to the scene with Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. DA Investigator Adams administered two doses of Narcan, contributing to the coordinated efforts to save the woman’s life.
The woman was revived and received additional treatment from EMS personnel.
“The actions of our staff reflect the very best of public service,” said District Attorney Anthony Parisi. “Heather Palazzo and Kristina Crespo responded with remarkable courage and presence of mind, and the swift response of our Investigations Unit helped save a woman’s life. I am immensely proud of everyone involved.”
“The rapid coordinated response reflects the importance of preparedness, teamwork, and compassion when responding to a life-threatening emergency. It also highlights the value of ensuring staff members have access to life-saving resources and the training necessary to use them,” Parisi added.
Parisi, recognizing the importance of overdose response preparedness, identified a need for additional Narcan training and took steps to ensure staff members were equipped to respond to a potential emergency. Beginning in 2024, all DA office staff members began receiving Narcan training.
For more information on available Narcan trainings, contact the .
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